Question

The bacterium bacillus thuringiensis can withstand heat, dryness, and toxic chemicals that would kill most other bacteria. this indicates that it is probably able to form a protective structure called _____.

Answer 1

Bacillus thuringiensis is likely able to form endospores to survive extreme conditions. Its ability to produce a natural insecticide, Bt toxin, is utilized by modifying plants to express this toxin, providing an environmentally friendly pest control method.

Step-by-step explanation:

The bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) can withstand extreme conditions such as heat, dryness, and toxic chemicals. This indicates that it is probably able to form a protective structure called an endospore. Endospores are highly resistant to environmental factors and allow bacteria to survive for very long periods under adverse conditions. Bt is also known for its use in agriculture due to the protein crystals it produces during sporulation, which are toxic to many insect species. This has been harnessed through biotechnology to create genetically modified plants that produce their own Bt toxin, providing a method of insect control that is safe for the environment and non-toxic to mammals, including humans.

Answer 2

Endospore is a protective structure that can able to survive for long periods of time in soil and water in which they commonly found. They are tough, dormant and non-reproductive structure which can withstand heat, dryness, and toxic chemicals that would kill most other bacteria produced by a small number of bacteria like the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis from the Firmicute family. To ensure the survival of a bacterium through periods of environmental stress is the primary function of most endospores. They are also resilient to gamma and ultraviolet radiation, chemical disinfectants, desiccation, starvation, lysozyme and temperature and can survive any environmental assaults.