Target Exam

CUET

Subject

Biology

Chapter

Biotechnology and its Applications

Question:

Bt toxins are insect group specific proteins. Gene named crylAc and cryllAb control:

Options:

Cotton bollworms

Corn borer

Tobacco budworm

Armyworm

Correct Answer:

Cotton bollworms

Explanation:

The correct answer is Option (1) → Cotton bollworms

Bt toxin is produced by a bacterium called Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt for short). Bt toxin gene has been cloned from the bacteria and been expressed in plants to provide resistance to insects without the need for insecticides; in effect created a bio-pesticide. Examples are Bt cotton, Bt corn, rice, tomato, potato and soyabean etc.

Specific Bt toxin genes were isolated from Bacillus thuringiensis and incorporated into the several crop plants such as cotton . The choice of genes depends upon the crop and the targeted pest, as most Bt toxins are insect-group specific. The toxin is coded by a gene cryIAc named cry. There are a number of them, for example, the proteins encoded by the genes cryIAc and cryIIAb control the cotton bollworms, that of cryIAb controls corn borer.