Question

Biotechnology in agriculture will lead to pest resistant plants, which could decrease the amount of pesticides used. For example Bt cotton. Expand the letter ‘B’ and ‘t’.

Answer 1

Pest safe GM crops (cotton and maize), have been hereditarily modified and are resistant to harmful pests. They are regularly called Bt crops as the presented qualities were initially recognized in a bacterial animal category called Bacillus thuringiensis.

Complete answer:
Bt cotton is a genetically modified organism (GMO) or genetically modified pest resistant plant cotton variety. It produces substances used to kill bollworm or moth larva. The full form of BT is Bacillus thuringiensis. It is a genetically modified organism which does not occur naturally. It is produced by altering its genes by using genetic engineering techniques.

Cotton is a soft fibre that grows around a cotton seed in a protective case. Bt cotton is produced to kill the eggs of larva and insects that attack the fruits of certain crops like cotton. Bt produces some toxins that are harmful to the insects. The process of making Bt cotton includes the insertion of a “Cry” gene of bacteria called Bacillus thuringiensis in the plant genome. This produces toxins in the plant. When an insect sucks the sap, the toxins are also ingested which kills the pests. Here the letter B and t means Bacillus thuringiensis.

Note: The genetically engineered crops are environmentally and economically more sustainable. They not only protect the plants from harmful pests and diseases but also help in improving the crop yield. These plants are more resistant to changes in the environment. Also through genetic engineering, the quality of the crops can be improved.