Prelims 2011 · archive
EasyA genetically engineered form of brinjal, known as the Bt-brinjal, has been developed. The objective of this is:
Answer & explanation
Answer: (a) To make it pest-resistant
Bt-brinjal carries the cry1Ac gene from the soil bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis. The gene makes the plant produce a protein toxic to the brinjal fruit and shoot borer, a caterpillar pest. So the aim is pest resistance, which also reduces the need for insecticide sprays.
- ✓ (a) Mahyco's Bt-brinjal (event EE-1) expresses the Bt cry1Ac gene to resist the fruit and shoot borer (Leucinodes orbonalis). In effect, the plant becomes its own bio-pesticide.
- ✗ (b) The Bt gene adds an insecticidal protein against the fruit and shoot borer. It is not meant to change taste or nutrition.
- ✗ (c) Drought tolerance needs a different trait (stress-tolerance genes). The Bt toxin acts only on certain insects, such as lepidopteran larvae.
- ✗ (d) Longer shelf life is the aim of delayed-ripening traits, as in the Flavr Savr tomato. It is not the aim of Bt-brinjal.
Remember · Bt crops (cotton, brinjal) carry Bacillus thuringiensis toxin genes to resist insect pests. Bt-brinjal targets the fruit and shoot borer; it is not for taste, drought or shelf life.
📘 Read it in NCERT: Class 12 Biology, Ch 10 (practise this chapter)
Sources
- Report of the Expert Committee (EC-II) on Bt Brinjal Event EE-1, MoEF (Government of India) ↗ “has developed transgenic brinjal plants expressing cry1Ac gene isolated from Bacillus thuringiensis tolerant to the fruit and shoot borer”
- NCERT Class 12 · Biology, Chapter 10 “Bt toxin gene has been cloned from the bacteria and been expressed in plants to provide resistance to insects without the need for insecticides; in effect created a bio-pesticide.”
Question: UPSC Civil Services (Preliminary) 2011, General Studies paper. Explanation: Minimalist IAS, checked 25 Oct 2026 (how we verify). ·