Cry protein is obtained froma)Bacillus thuringiensisb)Baccilus subtilisc)Clostridium welchid)E.ColiCorrect answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?

Question

Answer

Answer

Upon sporulation, Bacillus thuringiensis forms crystals of proteinaceous insecticidal endotoxins (called as crystal proteins or Cry proteins), which are encoded by cry genes. In most strains of B. thuringiensis, the cry genes are located on a plasmid. Cry toxins have specific activities against insect species of the orders Lepidoptera (moths and butterflies), Diptera (flies and mosquitoes), Coleoptera (beetles), Hymenoptera (wasps, bees, ants and sawflies) and nematodes. Thus, B. thuringiensis serves as an important reservoir of Cry toxins for the production of biological insecticides and insect-resistant genetically modified crops.

Answer

Cry proteins are encoded by cry genes. These proteins are toxins, which are produced by Bacillus thuringiensis bacteria. This bacterium contains these proteins in their inactive from. When the inactive toxin protein is ingested by the insect, it gets activated by the alkaline pH of the gut

Answer

Bacillus thuringiensis is the correct answer.

Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) is a gram-positive, spore-forming bacterium that produces a protein called Cry protein. Cry proteins are a type of toxin produced by Bt that specifically target and kill insect larvae. These proteins have been widely used in organic farming and as insecticides due to their effectiveness and specificity towards certain insect pests.

Explanation:

Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt)
- Bacillus thuringiensis is a soil-dwelling bacterium that is commonly found in the environment.
- It has been extensively studied and used as a biological pesticide due to its ability to produce insecticidal toxins.
- Bt produces a variety of crystal proteins, also known as Cry proteins, during sporulation.
- These Cry proteins are toxic to specific insect pests and are harmless to humans, animals, and most beneficial insects.

Cry protein
- Cry proteins are a type of insecticidal toxin produced by Bacillus thuringiensis.
- They are specific to certain insect larvae and are highly effective in killing them.
- Cry proteins work by binding to specific receptors on the surface of the insect gut cells.
- Once bound, the Cry proteins form pores that disrupt the integrity of the gut lining, leading to cell lysis and death of the insect larvae.
- Different Cry proteins have different target insects, and their specificity makes them an environmentally friendly alternative to chemical insecticides.

Applications of Cry proteins
- Cry proteins have been widely used in organic farming and integrated pest management strategies.
- They are used as bioinsecticides to control a variety of insect pests, including caterpillars, beetles, and mosquitoes.
- Due to their specificity and low toxicity to non-target organisms, Cry proteins are considered safe for humans, animals, and the environment.
- Bt crops, genetically modified to produce Cry proteins, have been developed to provide built-in pest resistance in plants, reducing the need for chemical pesticides.
- These genetically modified crops, such as Bt cotton and Bt corn, have been successfully used in agriculture and have contributed to sustainable pest management practices.

In conclusion, Cry protein is obtained from Bacillus thuringiensis, a bacterium widely used in organic farming and pest management strategies. Cry proteins are highly specific to certain insect larvae and are effective in controlling insect pests while being safe for humans, animals, and the environment.

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