Bt cotton, widely grown in Pakistan, has been given a gene from a bacterium so that the plant can
- A. produce a protein toxic to the insect pests that attack it
- B. fix nitrogen from the air
- C. survive without any water
- D. ripen its bolls faster
Explanation
The gene comes from Bacillus thuringiensis and codes for a crystal protein that kills bollworm larvae feeding on the plant, so far less insecticide has to be sprayed. The benefits are lower cost and less chemical exposure for farm workers, while the main concern is that pest populations may evolve resistance if the crop is grown continuously. Nitrogen fixation by cereals and cotton remains a research goal, not an achievement.
Related questions
A restriction endonuclease is used in genetic engineering to
The enzyme used to seal the gene permanently into the plasmid is
Human insulin for diabetic patients is now produced mainly by
The polymerase chain reaction is used to
In gel electrophoresis, DNA fragments move towards the positive electrode because