Question

Bt toxin kills insects by

• A. inhibiting protein synthesis
• B. generating excessive heat
• C. creating pores in the midgut epithelial cells, leading to cell swelling and lysis
• D. obstructing a biosynthetic pathway

Answer 1

The correct option is C creating pores in the midgut epithelial cells, leading to cell swelling and lysis

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