Read the following passage carefully and answer the given questions.

Bioactive molecule, cyclosporin A, that is used as an immunosuppressive agent in organ-transplant patients, is produced by the fungus Trichoderma polysporum. Statins produced by the yeast Monascus purpureus have been commercialised as blood- cholesterol lowering agents. It acts by competitively inhibiting the enzyme responsible for synthesis of cholesterol. Baculoviruses are pathogens that attack insects and other arthropods. The majority of baculoviruses used as biological control agents are in the genus Nucleopolyhedrovirus. These viruses are excellent candidates for species-specific, narrow spectrum insecticidal applications. They have been shown to have no negative impacts on plants, mammals, birds, fish or even on non-target insects. BOD refers to the amount of the oxygen that would be consumed if all the organic matter in one liter of water were oxidised by bacteria. The sewage water is treated till the BOD is reduced. Cheese, is one of the oldest food items in which microbes were used. Different varieties of cheese are known by their characteristic texture, flavour and taste. For example, the large holes in 'Swiss cheese are due to production of a large amount of CO₂ by a bacterium named Propionibacterium sharmanii.

Baculoviruses are :   

Biological control agents

The correct answer is Option (2)- Biological control agents

Baculoviruses are a family of viruses that specifically target insects and other arthropods. They are highly specialized pathogens that have evolved to infect and replicate within the cells of their insect hosts. Baculoviruses can cause significant damage to insect populations, making them effective biocontrol agents against pest insects.

Baculoviruses have a high specificity for their target pests and do not harm plants, mammals, birds, fish, or other non-target insects. One of the significant advantages of using baculoviruses as biocontrol agents is their narrow spectrum of activity. They have a high degree of specificity for their target pests and typically do not harm non-target organisms, including plants, mammals, birds, fish, or other beneficial insects. This makes them environmentally friendly and suitable for integrated pest management (IPM) strategies.