NEETZoologyBiotechnology and Its Applications
How does the Bt toxin cause death of insects?
Options
- ABy binding to the surface of midgut epithelial cells
- BBy forming protein crystals
- CBy converting inactive toxin into active form
- DBy causing cell swelling and lysis
Correct answer
A. By binding to the surface of midgut epithelial cells
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 for