Question

What is the significance of promoter activation in Bt cotton plant cells?

पर्याय

• It inhibits the plant's ability to photosynthesize

• It turns on the production of protoxin in plant tissue, enabling the plant to produce the insecticidal protein

• It prevents the cotton plant from growing properly

• It only allows toxin production during specific seasons

Answer 1

A promoter is a DNA regulatory element that controls gene expression. In Bt cotton, the promoter associated with the inserted Bt gene activates and turns on the production of protoxin in cotton plant tissues. This promoter ensures continuous synthesis of the insecticidal protein throughout the plant's life cycle, including in the leaves, stems, and bolls that insects feed on. Without promoter activation, the Bt gene would remain silent and no insecticidal protein would be produced.