Biology / Unit 7 Bio 1553 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Bt Toxin as an Organic Insecticide
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The idea
Bacillus thuringiensis produces a protein crystal toxic to specific insects when ingested; cloning its gene into a plant makes the plant insecticidal.
In practice
A plant carrying the cloned Bt toxin gene stops insects that ingest it from feeding within hours.
Where people slip
Bt toxin must be ingested and activated in the insect gut — it is not a contact poison, and is nontoxic to mammals.
Your place on the trail
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Unlocks
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