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NEET
Exam
NEET
Subject
Zoology
Chapter
Biotechnology and Its Applications

NEET · Zoology · Biotechnology and Its Applications

What type of insects are affected by the Bt toxin produced by...

What type of insects are affected by the Bt toxin produced by Bacillus thuringiensis?

Options

  1. AMosquitoes
  2. BBeetles
  3. CArmyworms
  4. DFlies

Correct answer

A. Mosquitoes

Step-by-step solution

Bt Cotton: Some strains of Bacillus thuringiensis produce proteins that kill certain insects such as lepidopterans (tobacco budworm, armyworm), coleopterans (beetles) and dipterans (flies, mosquitoes). B. thuringiensis forms protein crystals during a particular phase of their growth. These crystals contain a toxic insecticidal protein. Why does this toxin not kill the Bacillus? Actually, the Bt toxin protein exist as inactive protoxins but once an insect ingest the inactive toxin, it is converted into an active form of toxin due to the alkaline pH of the gut which solubilise the crystals. The activated toxin binds to the surface of midgut epithelial cells and create pores that cause cell swelling and lysis and eventually cause death of the insect.

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