Give any two microbes that are useful in biotechnology.
Two microbes that are useful in biotechnology are
(i) Bacillus thuringiensis a gene isolated from this bacterium is introduced in cotton plants to make them able to kill butterfly caterpillars.
(ii) Escherichia coli is a bacterium that is used in many biotechnology procedures. Their plasmid is used as vector to introduce foreign DNA segment in desired organisms.
What is the source organism for Eco RI, restriction endonuclease?
Escherichia coli strain RY 13 is the source organism for Eco RI.
Name any genetically modified crop.
Bt cotton is a genetically modified plant that has been modified to resist attack by insect pests e.g., cotton ball worm). These are developed by introducing a gene from Bacillus thuringiensis which produces toxin is plants which is lethat to insects.
Why are blue-green algae not popular as biofertilisers?
Blue-green algae add organic matter to the soil and increase its fertility still these are not popular as biofertilisers. This is due to several constraints that limit the application or implementation of the biofertiliser technology. The constraints may be environmental, technological, infrastructural, financial, unawareness, quality, marketing etc.
Which species of Penicillium produces Roquefort cheese?
Roquefort cheese is formed by ripening of cheese with the fungi Penicillium roqueforti for a particular flavour.