Corn is a crop plant . Glow - worms are organisms which give off light . Which process could use these two species to make corn plants which glow ?

Options

A. breeding the organisms together
B. causing mutations in the organisms
C. Selective breeding
D. transferring genes from one species to another species

Answer

To create corn plants that glow by utilizing the bioluminescent properties of glowworms, we can follow these steps:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding Bioluminescence**:
- Bioluminescence is the ability of certain organisms to produce light through biochemical reactions. Glowworms produce light due to specific proteins and enzymes involved in this process.

**Hint**: Research how bioluminescence works in organisms like glowworms.

2. **Identifying the Process**:
- The question asks for a method to combine the traits of two different species: corn plants and glowworms. Traditional breeding methods are not applicable here because they cannot cross species barriers between plants and animals.

**Hint**: Consider methods that allow for genetic material transfer across different species.

3. **Genetic Engineering**:
- The most suitable method to achieve this is through genetic engineering, specifically by transferring genes from the glowworm into the corn plant. This involves isolating the gene responsible for bioluminescence in glowworms.

**Hint**: Think about the tools and techniques used in genetic engineering, such as CRISPR or plasmids.

4. **Gene Transfer**:
- The isolated bioluminescence gene can be inserted into the corn plant's genome using various techniques, such as Agrobacterium-mediated transformation or biolistic methods (gene gun).

**Hint**: Explore how gene transfer techniques work and their applications in plants.

5. **Cultivating Transgenic Corn**:
- Once the gene is successfully integrated into the corn plant's DNA, the modified corn can be cultivated. If successful, the corn plants will express the glowworm's bioluminescent properties and emit light.

**Hint**: Investigate the implications and regulations surrounding genetically modified organisms (GMOs).

### Conclusion:
The correct process to create glowing corn plants using glowworms is through **gene transfer via genetic engineering**. This method allows for the incorporation of the bioluminescent gene from glowworms into the corn plant's genome, enabling the corn to glow.