Question
Why do lepidopterans die when they feed on Bt cotton plant? Explain how does it happen.

Answer

Bt cotton plants are the transgenic plants that express a Bacillus thuringiensis gene called cry gene. This gene, encodes for protein crystals having insecticidal properties against insects of group Lepidoptera, Diptera and Coleoptera. Inside the bacterium, these proteins remain inactive and do not harm the bacteria. However, these inactive crystals can get activated in the alkaline pH of the gut of insects upon ingestion. After activation, these crystals can bind to the receptors present on the membranes of gut epithelial cells. Due to this binding, the membrane swells and pores are created on them. These pores lead to bursting of cell. Hence, soon the lepidopteran dies due to starvation.

Need a full question paper?

Generate a complete, print-ready paper with questions like this in minutes — across 16+ boards, with answer keys.

Start Generating Free

Similar questions

Study the diagram given below:
Name the linkages X, Y, Z and the respective molecules formed by them.
Differentiate between an annual and a biennial plant. Provide one example of each.
Identify A, B, C, D, E and F in the table given below:
S. No.
Component-I
Component-II
Chemical linkage bonding the two components
Product
(i)
A
B
C
Nucleotide
(ii)
Nucleotide
D
E
Nucleotide
(iii)
Nucleotide
Nucleotide
F
Dinucleotide
Amniocentesis for sex determination is banned in our country. Is this ban necessary? Comment
Explain the interpretation of Charles Darwin when he observed a variety of small black birds on Galapagos Islands.
A person has been diagnosed to be $HIV^+$.
  1. Name the disease and the test which the person has to undergo.
  2. Write the full name of the pathogen involved and describe its structure.
  3. Which particular cells of this person are likely to get destroyed?
OR
The immune system of a person is suppressed. In the ELISA test, he was found positive to a pathogen.
  1. Name the disease the patient is suffering from.
  2. What is the causative organism?
  3. Which cells of the body are affected by the pathogen?
Who propounded the Central Dogma principle and what is meant by it?
  1. Draw a diagram of pistil showing pollen tube growth in angiosperm and label;
  1. Stigma.
  2. Male gametes.
  3. Micropyle.
  4. Ovule.
  1. Write the function of micropyle.
This image highlights the process of Gene Therapy of ADA-SCID.
Image
i. Mention the cause of ADA deficiency in humans.
ii. How has genetic engineering helped patients suffering from it?
Males in whom testes fail to descend to the scrotum are generally infertile. Why?