NEETZoologyMicrobes in Human Welfare
What is the purpose of genetic engineering in the field of biocontrol?
Options
- ATo enhance the growth of insect pests
- BTo make plants more susceptible to attack by insect pests
- CTo create more potent biocontrol agents
- DTo make plants resistant to attack by insect pests
Correct answer
D. To make plants resistant to attack by insect pests
Step-by-step solution
In order to control butterfly caterpillars is the bacteria Bacillus thuringiensis (often written as Bt). These are available in sachets as dried spores which are mixed with water and sprayed onto vulnerable plants such as brassicas and fruit trees, where these are eaten by the insect larvae. In the gut of the larvae, the toxin is released and the larvae get killed. The bacterial disease will kill the caterpillars, but leave other insects unharmed. Because of the development of methods of genetic engineering in the