Q172 / 180 · AIIMS 2011 · Zoology

Assertion : A gene from Bacillus thuringiensis is incorporated in plant genome to increase their yield. Reason : Bacillus thuringiensis has Bt toxin producing gene, which kills the larva of insects.

  • Correct answer
    A
    If both assertion and reason are true and reason is the correct explanation of assertion
  • B
    If both assertion and reason are true but reason is not the correct explanation of assertion
  • C
    If assertion is true but reason is false
  • D
    If both assertion and reason are false.

Solution

Bacillus thuringiensis is a bacterium found in soil worldwide. Several strains can infect and kill insects. Due to this property, through genetic engineering, gene coding for insecticide is incorporated into plant genome. Plant having this gene are insect resistant thus high yielding e.g. Bt cotton is usually resistant to bollworm disease of cotton. It is the first genetically modified crop of India. This produces its own insecticide, as it contain a gene from soil bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis.

Hence, the correct answer is option: 'A'.

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