Question:

Assertion A: Bt toxin does not kill Bacillus thuringiensis.
Reason R: The Bt toxin gets activated due to the alkaline pH of the insect gut.

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The toxin is a "sleeper agent" that only wakes up in the insect's alkaline stomach.
Updated On: May 14, 2026
  • Both A and R are correct and R is the correct explanation of A
  • Both A and R are correct but R is not the correct explanation of A
  • A is correct but R is not correct
  • A is not correct but R is correct
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The Correct Option is A

Solution and Explanation


Step 1: Concept

Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) produces insecticidal proteins that exist as inactive protoxins.

Step 2: Meaning

The bacterium itself is safe because the toxin is not in its active form inside the cell.

Step 3: Analysis

When an insect ingests the Bt crystals, the highly alkaline environment of its midgut solubilizes the crystals and converts the protoxin into its active, lethal form.

Step 4: Conclusion

Assertion A is true, and Reason R explains the mechanism of activation that makes it selective to insects. Final Answer: (A)
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