In Bt Cotton, term Bt stands for:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → Bacillus thuringiensis
Bt cotton is a transgenic crop. It carries a toxin gene taken from the soil bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis, and “Bt” is the short form of this name. The gene makes the Bt toxin protein, which kills insect pests such as the cotton bollworm. So the plant protects itself, and less pesticide is needed.
(1) Biotoxin — Incorrect. Biotoxin is a general word for any poison made by a living thing. It is not what Bt stands for.
(2) Bacillus thuringiensis — Correct. Bt is the name of the bacterium that gives the toxin gene.
(3) Biotechnology — Incorrect. Bt cotton is a product of biotechnology, but Bt does not stand for it.
(4) Bacteria transfer — Incorrect. No such term is used. The gene is transferred, not the bacterium.
NCERT Extract:
Biotechnological Applications in Agriculture – …
