Multiple choice

Bt toxin is produced by B. thuringiensis in inactive form. Which of the following is responsible for the conversion of inactive Bt toxin into its active form?

  1. Acidic pH of the insect gut

  2. Alkaline pH of the insect gut

  3. Action of gut enzymes

  4. The microflora of the gut
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The alkaline digestive tract of the insects denatures the inactive toxin crystals making them soluble and thus, amenable to being cut with proteases found in the insect gut. This liberates the active toxin from the crystal, which then destroys the insect.

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