AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Commercialized GM sugar beets make use of a glyphosate-resistance modification developed by Monsanto and KWS Saat. These glyphosate-resistant beets, also called ‘Roundup Ready’ sugar beets, were developed by 2000, but not commercialized until 2007.

Detailed explanation-2: -In March of 2005, genetically modified sugar beets appeared on the US market for the first time. Crafted by Monsanto to include a gene from a soil bacterium, this GM beet was able to withstand a copious onslaught of Monsanto’s Roundup herbicide (glyphosate).

Detailed explanation-3: -Researchers found that plants engineered with a synthetic shortcut are about 40% more productive. While plants use the energy from sunlight to turn carbon dioxide and water into sugars that fuel the plant’s growth, the chemical steps involved produce some toxic compounds that actually limit the potential of the crop.

Detailed explanation-4: -Glyphosate-tolerant sugar beet line H7-1 was generated by the insertion of one new gene: the bacterial cp4 epsps gene. This gene encodes a 5-enolpyruvyl shikimate-3-phosphate synthase enzyme that is not sensitive to glyphosate, allowing the plants to function normally in the presence of the herbicide.