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Q. Bt toxin kills insects by

Biotechnology and its Applications

Solution:

Bt toxins are initially inactive protoxins but after ingestion by the insects, the inactive toxins become active due to the alkaline pH of the gut which solublises the crystals. The activated toxin binds to the surface of the midgut epithelial cells thus, creating pores which cause cell swelling and lysis, eventually leading to death of the insects.