The effects on lethal potency and enzymatic activity were determined following alkylation, with p-bromophenacyl bromide, of the acidic toxic phospholipase A2 from Bothrops alternatus. The modified B. alternatus enzyme, which lost its enzymatic activity, retained considerable toxicity. Histopathologic studies on mice have demonstrated features similar to those of the native enzyme. However, the distribution of the damage was different and the survival time was longer. It is concluded that the enzyme activity is not important for the lethal action of the enzyme although it influences the distribution of the damage and survival time.