Which gene would you try to manipulate to provide protection to a plant against corn borer infection?

Options

A. Cry I Ab
B. Cry I Ac
C. Bam HI
D. Bt

Answer

To provide protection to a plant against corn borer infection, the gene that should be manipulated is the **cry1Ab** gene. Here’s a step-by-step explanation of the reasoning behind this choice:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understand the Problem**: The question asks which gene can be manipulated to protect plants from corn borer infection. Corn borer is a common pest that affects various crops.

2. **Identify the Relevant Genes**: The options provided are:
- cry1Ab
- cry1Ac
- bamH1BT

3. **Research the Function of Cry Genes**:
- Cry genes are derived from the bacterium *Bacillus thuringiensis* (BT). These genes encode for proteins that can be toxic to certain insects when ingested.
- Different cry genes target different pests.

4. **Match Cry Genes to Pests**:
- **Cry1Ab**: This gene is known to be effective against the corn borer.
- **Cry1Ac**: This gene is effective against cotton bollworms, not corn borers.
- **BamH1BT**: This is a restriction enzyme and does not provide any protection against pests.

5. **Conclusion**: Since the cry1Ab gene is specifically effective against corn borer, it is the appropriate gene to manipulate for providing protection to plants against this pest.

6. **Final Answer**: The correct gene to manipulate for protection against corn borer infection is **cry1Ab**.