[Campbell Biology P.890] Bt maize is a genetically modified crop that: | Practice Question

Bt maize is a genetically modified crop that:

  • A: is resistant to various herbicides, making it practical to weed maize fields with those herbicides.
  • B: contains transgenes that increase vitamin A content.
  • C: includes bacterial genes that produce a toxin that reduces damage from insect pests.
  • D: is a 'boron (B)-tolerant' transgenic variety of maize.

Explanation

Bt maize is engineered with genes from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis Bt . These genes encode proteins Bt toxins that are toxic to certain insect pests, such as the European corn borer, thereby reducing insect damage to the maize plants.