Which organism is a microbial agent used for biological control?

Which organism is a microbial agent used for biological control?

• A. Bacillus thuringiensis
• B. Atrazine
• C. Glyphosate
• D. Mowing

Answer: (A)

The key idea is recognizing a living microorganism used to control pests. Bacillus thuringiensis is a bacterium that acts as a microbial pesticide. It forms crystal proteins that become toxic to certain insect larvae when ingested, disrupting their gut and killing them. This makes Bt a true microbial agent used in biological control, often with selective effects on target pests and limited impact on humans and many non-target organisms. The other options are not living microbes: Atrazine and Glyphosate are chemical herbicides, and mowing is a mechanical control method. So Bacillus thuringiensis is the organism used for microbial biological control.

The key idea is recognizing a living microorganism used to control pests. Bacillus thuringiensis is a bacterium that acts as a microbial pesticide. It forms crystal proteins that become toxic to certain insect larvae when ingested, disrupting their gut and killing them. This makes Bt a true microbial agent used in biological control, often with selective effects on target pests and limited impact on humans and many non-target organisms. The other options are not living microbes: Atrazine and Glyphosate are chemical herbicides, and mowing is a mechanical control method. So Bacillus thuringiensis is the organism used for microbial biological control.