Question

Study the following statements regarding Bt toxins produced by bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis and select the correct one

Answer 1

Soil bacterium, Bacillus thruingiensis (Bt) produces proteins that kill certain insects like lepidopterans (tabacco budworm,armyworm), coleopterans (beetles) and dipterans (flies, mosquitoes). Bacillus thuringiensis forms some intracellular protein crystals. These crystals contain some intracelluar protein. The Bt toxin protein exists as inactive toxin and is converted into an active form due to the alkaline pH of the alimentary canal that solubilises the crystals. The activated toxin binds to the surface of midgut epithelial cells and create pores which cause cell swelling and lysis and finally cause death of the insect.