Question

What is true about Bt toxin?

• A. The inactive protoxin gets converted into active form in the insect gut.
• B. Bt protein exists as active toxin in the Bacillus.
• C. The activated toxin enters the ovaries of the pest to sterilize it and thus prevent its multiplication.
• D. The concerned Bacillus has antitoxins.

Answer 1

Answer: (A)

The inactive protoxin gets converted into active form in the insect gut.

Bt has to be eaten to cause mortality. The Bt toxin dissolve in the high pH insect gut and become active. The toxins then attack the gut cells of the insect, punching holes in the lining. The Bt spores spills out of the gut and germinate in the insect causing death within a couple of days.