Question

In the case of Bacillus thuringiensis, Bacillus itself is not killed by toxic protein crystals produced by it because

• A. Bt toxin protein is not produced in the bacteria
• B. Bt toxin protein is produced in very less amount in the bacillus
• C. Bt toxin exists as an inactive toxin
• D. the bacteria is resistant to the Bt toxin

Answer 1

Answer: (C)

The Bt toxin is produced by the soil bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis. This bacteria is unaffected by the toxin it produces because it is inactive and in crystalline form when inside the bacterium. This toxin needs to get activated to show its effects and therefore it kills only the insects which have ingested it as they get activated in the gut of the insect.