Q38.3-2CC. - Campbell Biology

Question

Why does Bt maize have less fumonisin than non-GM maize

 

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

Bt maize is a transgenic plant type containing the Bt toxin and has 90 percent less of a fungal toxin that causes cancer and birth problems than non-Bt maize. This suggests that some GM foods may be healthier than non-GM foods.

Step 1: Bt maize

Bacillus thuringiensis is the source of the genes needed to genetically alter a variety of food crops to generate the toxin on their own to discourage various insect pests. Bt maize is one of the famous examples of genetically modified plants.

Step 2: Fumonisin

Fumonisin comes from Fusarium verticillioides, a fungus that regularly contaminates corn and corn-based products. It is most frequently recognized in veterinary medicine as a cause of swine pulmonary edema and horse leukoencephalomalacia.

Step 3: Genetically modified organism

GMOs have been genetically engineered for a specific purpose. The goal may be beneficial or harmful. GMO crops have much greater yields and frequently contain micronutrients not seen in natural plants.

A fungus (Fusarium) that infects insect-damaged maize produces fumonisin. Bt maize is comparatively less susceptible to insect damage than that of non-GM maize and thus it has a lower level of fumonisin.