Why does Bt toxin not kill the bacterium that produces it, but kill the insect that ingests it?
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Because it is present in inactive form in the bacteria. It got activated when it enters the midgut of the insect and kills the insect.
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Answer:
The Bt toxin or delta-endotoxin present in the bacterium does not kill it but kills the insect that ingests it because in the bacterium it is present in a crystalline inactive form that needs to be activated in order to perform its function.
As soon as it is ingested by an insect, it gets activated and therefore binds to the epithelial cells present in the midget of the insect. This results in pore formation in the cells that ultimately lyse and kills the insect.
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