Question : Bt toxin seen inside Bt cotton exists in an inactive form. But when a pest feeds on Bt cotton, it dies. How does the toxin in cotton plant kill the pest?

Question : Bt toxin seen inside Bt cotton exists in an inactive form.

1.	Question : Bt toxin seen inside Bt cotton exists in an inactive form. But when a pest feeds on Bt cotton, it dies. How does the toxin in cotton plant kill the pest?
Answer» Solution :When the INSECT pest ingests the inactive toxin, it is converted into an active form of toxin due to the ALKALINE PH of the GUT which solubilise the toxin crystals. The activated toxin binds to the surface of MID gut epithe lial cells and creates pores, which causes cell swelling and lysis and eventually death of the insect