Question

A bacterium called Bacillus thuringiensis contains a protein that can kill cotton ballworms and certain other kinds of caterpillars. A different bacterium called Agrobacterium tumefaciens has the ability to insert its genetic material into plants.

Scientists in the late twentieth century took a gene from Bacillus thuringiensis and inserted it into specimens of Agrobacterium tumefaciens. Genetic material from the Agrobacterium tumefaciens specimens was then inserted into cotton plants. The goal of these tests was to reduce caterpillar infestation in the cotton plants.

These tests are an example of
A.
genetic modification.
B.
meiotic cell division.
C.
natural selection.
D.
creating purebred species.

Answer 1

A. genetic modification.

Explanation: This describes transferring a gene from one organism into another to give the cotton a new trait (production of Bt toxin). That is genetic engineering/genetic modification, not meiosis, natural selection, or creating purebred species.