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Bt cotton is a special kind of cotton plant. It contains a bacterial gene coding for a toxin that disrupts the digestive system of caterpillars, killing them.Propose how the Bt cotton plant was first produced and the need for it.

Question

Bt cotton is a special kind of cotton plant. It contains a bacterial gene coding for a toxin that disrupts the digestive system of caterpillars, killing them.Propose how the Bt cotton plant was first produced and the need for it.

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Solution

The Bt cotton plant was first produced through a process known as genetic engineering. Here are the steps:

  1. Identification of the Desired Gene: The first step in the production of Bt cotton was the identification of the Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) bacterium, which produces a toxin harmful to many pests, including the bollworm, a major cotton pest.

  2. Isolation of the Gene: Once the bacterium was identified, the specific gene responsible for the production of the toxin was isolated. This was done using restriction enzymes, which are capable of cutting DNA at specific points.

  3. Insertion of the Gene into Cotton: The isolated gene was then inserted into the DNA of cotton plants. This was done using a technique known as Agrobacterium-mediated transformation, where the bacterium Agrobacterium tumefaciens is used as a vector to carry the Bt gene into the cotton plant's DNA.

  4. Growth and Selection of Transformed Plants: The cotton plants were then grown in a lab. Those that successfully incorporated the Bt gene were selected and bred to produce a line of Bt cotton plants.

The need for Bt cotton arose due to the damage caused by pests, particularly the bollworm, to cotton crops. Traditional methods of pest control, such as the use of pesticides, were not only harmful to the environment but also often ineffective, as pests developed resistance over time. Bt cotton, on the other hand, provided an environmentally friendly solution to the pest problem. The Bt toxin is specific to certain pests and does not harm other organisms. Furthermore, because the toxin is produced within the plant, pests cannot develop resistance as easily.

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Similar Questions

What does Bt stands for in popular crop Bt cotton?

Bt crops are genetically modified to contain a bacterial gene from Bacillus thuringiensis. What advantage does this gene give to the plant?Provides mineralsProtection from bacteriaProtection from insectsIncreases rate of growth2Which of the following is an advantage of Bt crops?Does not kill pests that drink cell sap rather than consume the plant tissueResistance to the toxin may developKnock-on effect on the food chainMinimises the need for chemical pesticides3What is the best definition for ‘biological control’?Genetically modifying plants to produce toxins against pestsUsing chemical pesticides to control pestsUsing the pests’ own natural predators to control themUsing fertilisers to provide essential minerals to the soil4What is a disadvantage of using inorganic fertilisers?They add essential minerals to the soilThey can be washed away into water systemsThey can kill pestsThey improve plant growth

Why was the cotton genetically modified?

How did the scientists transfer the gene from Bacillus thuringiensis to maize plants?Genes are added only once the plant is developed by injecting enzymes are used to both remove unwanted and insert desired genes.Genes are added early on in the development process by gene splicing. Enzymes are used to both remove unwanted and insert desired genes.The genes of Bt toxin can only be added to certain plants, by spraying them with the Bt toxin gene.Genes are added only in the late development process by gene splicing. Enzymes are used to both remove and inserted genes.I DON'T KNOWSUBMIT ANSWER

Insects can be both useful and harmful to crop plants. Insects such as bees pollinate or cross pollinate flowers. Some insects eat crops and other insects eat the insects that eat crops.Corn borers are insects that eat maize plants. A toxin produced by the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis kills insects. Scientists grow Bacillus thuringiensis in large containers. The toxin is collected from the containers and is sprayed over maize crops to kill corn borers.A company has developed genetically modified (GM) maize plants. GM maize plants contain a gene from Bacillus thuringiensis. This gene changes the GM maize plants so that they produce the toxin.How did the scientists transfer the gene from Bacillus thuringiensis to maize plants?Genes are added only once the plant is developed by injecting enzymes are used to both remove unwanted and insert desired genes.Genes are added early on in the development process by gene splicing. Enzymes are used to both remove unwanted and insert desired genes.The genes of Bt toxin can only be added to certain plants, by spraying them with the Bt toxin gene.Genes are added only in the late development process by gene splicing. Enzymes are used to both remove and inserted genes.I DON'T KNOWSUBMIT ANSWER

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