Home
Class 12
BIOLOGY
Why do the toxic insecticide proteins se...

Why do the toxic insecticide proteins secreted by Bacillus thuringiensis kill insects?

Text Solution

Verified by Experts

Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) is a soil borne, Gram positive bacterium. It is used to create transgenic plants having resistance to different pests. The genes having insecticidal properties in the bacterium are isolated and incorporated into plants by using advanced biotechnological methods to create Bt plants. During sporulation, many Bt strains produce crystal proteins (proteinaceous inclusions) called `delta`-endotoxins that have insecticidal action. When consumed by insect, these toxins bind to the surface of midgut epithelial cells and create pores that cause cell swelling and lysis, leading to the death of an insect, e.g., Bt cotton, Bt tomato, soyabean, coffee, etc.
Promotional Banner

Topper's Solved these Questions

  • APPLICATIONS OF BIOTECHNOLOGY

    ARIHANT PRAKASHAN|Exercise TOPIC-1 (PRACTICE QUESTIONS) (3.5 MARK Questions)|3 Videos
  • APPLICATIONS OF BIOTECHNOLOGY

    ARIHANT PRAKASHAN|Exercise TOPIC-1 (PRACTICE QUESTIONS) (7 MARK Questions)|2 Videos
  • APPLICATIONS OF BIOTECHNOLOGY

    ARIHANT PRAKASHAN|Exercise Chapter Test|16 Videos
  • BIODIVERSITY AND ITS CONSERVATION

    ARIHANT PRAKASHAN|Exercise Chapter test|23 Videos

Similar Questions

Explore conceptually related problems

The name of toxic protein produced by Bacillus thuringiensis is _______.

Why does Bt toxin cannot kill the bacterium that produces it, but kills the insect that ingests it?

Correct the underlined portion Gaint mouse has been produces protein toxic to insect larvae is try.

Correct the underlined portion Bt gene which produces protein toxic to insect larvae is try