- This article is about the class of biotoxins. A toxin ( Greek:, toxikon, lit (poison for use on arrows is a Poisonous substance produced by living cells or organisms that is active at very low For other uses, see Venom (disambiguation) and Venomous (disambiguation).
Venom is any of a variety of toxins used by certain types of animals, for the purpose of defense and hunting. Toxicology (from the Greek words toxicos and logos) is the study of the adverse effects of Chemicals on living organisms Forensic toxicology is the use of Toxicology and other disciplines such as Analytical chemistry, Pharmacology and Clinical chemistry to aid medicolegal Toxinology is the specialized area of Toxicology that deals specifically with animal plant and microbial toxins but is also considered a science in its own right The history of Poison stretches from before 4500 BC to the Present day. S00-T14 - Injury (S00-S09 Head ( Superficial Injury of head ( Superficial injury of 17 Injury and poisoning (800-999 fracture of skull (800-804 ( Fracture of Vault of skull ( Fracture of Base of skull In the context of Biology, poisons are substances that can cause damage, Illness, or Death to Organisms usually by A toxicant is a chemical compound that has an effect on organisms An antidote or counterdose is a substance which can counteract a form of Poisoning. Acceptable daily intake or ADI is a measure of the amount of a specific substance (usually a Food additive, or a residue of a veterinary drug or pesticide in Acute toxicity describes the adverse effects of a substance which result either from a single exposure or from multiple exposures in a short space of time (usually less than 24 hours Bioaccumulation occurs when an organism absorbs a toxic substance at a rate greater than that at ftudruinsubstance is lost Biomagnification, also known as bioamplification, or biological magnification is the increase in concentration of a substance such as the Pesticide Fixed Dose Procedure (FDP proposed in 1984 is a method to assess a substance's acute oral Toxicity. In Toxicology, the median lethal dose, LD50 (abbreviation for “Lethal Dose 50%” or LCt50 (Lethal Concentration & Time of a A lethal dose (LD is an indication of the Lethality of a given substance or type of Radiation. Toxic capacity can mean the Toxicity of a substance possibly in relation to a specific Organism and toxic capacity can mean the capacity of an organism Toxicity Class refers to a classification system for Pesticides created by a national or international government-related or -sponsored organization A toxin ( Greek:, toxikon, lit (poison for use on arrows is a Poisonous substance produced by living cells or organisms that is active at very low A neurotoxin is a Toxin that acts specifically on nerve cells ( Neurons, usually by interacting with Membrane proteins such as Ion channels Necrosis (in Greek Νεκρός = "dead" is the name given to unnatural Death of cells and living tissue. Hemotoxins, haemotoxins or hematotoxins are Toxins that destroy Red blood cells (that is cause Hemolysis) disrupt Blood Mycotoxin (from the Greek μύκης (mykes mukos "fungus" is a Toxin produced by an organism of the Fungus kingdom which includes Mushrooms Aflatoxins are naturally occurring Mycotoxins that are produced by many species of Aspergillus, a Fungus, most notably Aspergillus Phototoxins are Toxins that can cause allergic reactions in particularly susceptible individuals and which can cause dangerous Photosensitivity in a much broader range This is a list of toxins poisons and chemical weapons from works of fiction (usually in Fantasy and Science fiction) The Bradford sweets poisoning was the accidental Arsenic poisoning of more than 200 people in Bradford, England in 1858 an estimated 20 people died when sometimes referred to as, is a neurological syndrome caused by severe Mercury poisoning. is a Neurological syndrome caused by severe Mercury poisoning. Alexander Litvinenko was a former officer of Russian Federal Security Service, who escaped prosecution in Russia and received a Political asylum in The Bhopal disaster was an Industrial disaster that occurred in the city of Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India, resulting in the immediate deaths The 2007 pet food recalls comprise the contamination and wide recall of many brands of cat and dog foods beginning in March 2007 and the ensuing developments This is a list of Poisonings in chronological order of victim Toxic metals are Metals that form Poisonous soluble compounds and have no biological role i Lead poisoning (also known as saturnism, plumbism, or painter's colic) is a medical condition caused by increased levels of the metal Lead in Mercury poisoning (also known as mercurialism, hydrargyria, Hunter-Russell syndrome, or acrodynia when affecting children is a Disease Cadmium has no constructive purpose in the Human body It and its compounds are extremely Toxic even in low concentrations and will Bioaccumulate in Antimony (IPA (Received Pronunciation, /ˈæntɪmoʊni/ (US is a Chemical element with the symbol Sb (stibium meaning "mark" and Arsenic Poisoning kills by Allosteric inhibition of essential metabolic Enzymes, leading to death from multi-system Beryllium (bəˈrɪliəm is a Chemical element with the symbol Be and Atomic number 4 Iron poisoning is caused by a large excess of Iron intake It has been primarily been associated with young children who consumed large quantities of iron supplement pills Thallium (ˈθæliəm is a Chemical element with the symbol Tl and Atomic number 81 In high concentrations soluble Fluoride Salts are somewhat Toxic. Oxygen toxicity or oxygen toxicity syndrome (also known as the " Paul Bert effect" or the "Lorrain Smith effect" describes harmful effects caused There are four syndromes called shellfish poisoning, which share some common features and are primarily associated with bivalve molluscs (such as Mussels Paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP is one of the four recognized syndromes of Shellfish poisoning (the others being Neurotoxic shellfish poisoning, diarrhetic Diarrhetic shellfish poisoning (DSP is one of the four recognised symptom types of Shellfish poisoning, the others being Paralytic shellfish poisoning, Neurotoxic Amnesic shellfish poisoning (ASP is a human illness caused by consumption of the marine biotoxin called Domoic acid. Ciguatera is a Foodborne illness poisoning in humans caused by eating Marine species whose flesh is contaminated with a toxin known as Ciguatoxin, Scombroid food poisoning is a foodborne Illness that results from eating spoiled (decayed Fish. Tetrodotoxin (anhydrotetrodotoxin 4-epitetrodotoxin tetrodonic acid TTX is a potent Neurotoxin with no known antidote which blocks Action potentials in Nerves Pesticide Poisonings occur when chemicals intended to control a pest affect non-target organisms such as Humans Wildlife, or Bees Since Many Organophosphates are potent Neurotoxins functioning by inhibiting the action of Acetylcholinesterase (AChE in nerve cells. Foodborne illness (also foodborne disease) is any Illness resulting from the consumption of food Historically most cases of nicotine poisoning have been the result of its use as an Insecticide; however such use is less frequent now than previously Carbon monoxide poisoning occurs after the inhalation of Carbon monoxide gas Vitamin poisoning, or hypervitaminosis, refers to a condition of high storage levels of Vitamins which can lead to Toxic Symptoms The medical The term drug overdose (or simply overdose or OD) describes the Ingestion or application of a Drug or other substance in quantities See also List of deadly fungi Mushroom poisoning, also known as mycetism, refers to deleterious effects from ingestion of Toxic substances present This is a list of Plants containing Poisonous parts that pose a serious risk of illness, injury or Death to Humans or Animals. Hazard symbols are easily recognizable symbols designed to warn about hazardous materials or locations The term carcinogen refers to any substance Radionuclide or radiation that is an agent directly involved in the promotion of Cancer or in the fatation of its propagation In Biology, a mutagen ( Latin, literally origin of change) is a physical or chemical agent that changes the genetic information (usually DNA) This is a list of Extremely Hazardous Substances as defined by Section 302 of the U Biological warfare (BW — known as a germ warfare, biological weapons and bioweaponry — is the use of any Pathogen ( Bacterium A toxin ( Greek:, toxikon, lit (poison for use on arrows is a Poisonous substance produced by living cells or organisms that is active at very low Hunting is the practice of pursuing Animals for Food, Recreation, or Trade. Generally, venom is delivered (injected) by such means as a bite or a sting, while a poison is absorbed by ingestion or through the skin. In the context of Biology, poisons are substances that can cause damage, Illness, or Death to Organisms usually by
The animals most widely known to use venom are snakes, some species of which inject venom into their prey through hollow fangs; spiders and centipedes, which also inject venom through fangs; scorpions and stinging insects, which inject venom with a sting (which, in insects such as bees and wasps, is a modified egg-laying device – the ovipositor). A wasp is any Insect of the order Hymenoptera and suborder Apocrita that is neither a Bee nor Ant. A stinger (a Colloquialism for the term "sting" is a common term for a sharp organ or body part found in various Animals (typically Arthropods A snake is an elongate Reptile of the suborder Serpentes Like all reptiles snakes are covered in scales. Spiders are Predatory Invertebrate Animals that have two body segments, eight legs no chewing mouth parts and no wings Centipedes (from Latin prefix centi-, "hundred" and Greek ποδός podos, " Foot " are Scorpions are eight-legged Carnivorous Arthropods They are members of the order Scorpiones within the class Arachnida. Insects ( Class Insecta) are a major group of Arthropods and the most diverse group of Animals on the Earth with over a million described Bees are flying Insects closely related to Wasps and Ants Bees are a Monophyletic lineage within the superfamily Apoidea A wasp is any Insect of the order Hymenoptera and suborder Apocrita that is neither a Bee nor Ant. The ovipositor is an organ used by some of the Animals for Oviposition, i Many caterpillars have defensive venom glands associated with specialized bristles on the body, known as urticating hairs, and can be lethal to humans (e. Caterpillars are the Larval form of a member of the order Lepidoptera (the Insect order comprising butterflies and Moths The term urtication can have various meanings In Biology, it refers to the stinging hairs of Plants or Invertebrates of which g. , that of the Lonomia moth). The genus Lonomia is a moderate-sized group of fairly cryptic saturniid moths from South America, famous not for the adults but for their amazingly Venom is also found in a few reptiles besides snakes, such as the gila monster and Mexican beaded lizard. The Gila monster (ˈhiːlə HEE-la Heloderma suspectum, is a species of venomous Lizard native to the Southwestern United States and northern Other insects, such as true bugs [1] and many ants, also produce venom. Hemiptera is an order of Insects comprising around 80000 Species of Cicadas Aphids Planthoppers Leafhoppers Ants are social Insects of the family Formicidae and along with the related families of Wasps and Bees belong to the order Venom can also be found in some fish, such as the cartilaginous fishes – stingrays, sharks, and chimaeras – and the teleost fishes including monognathus eels, catfishes, stonefishes and waspfishes, scorpionfishes and lionfishes, gurnard perches, rabbitfishes, surgeonfishes, scats, stargazers, weevers, carangids, saber-toothed blenny, and toadfish. Fish are aquatic Vertebrate animals that are typically ectothermic (previously Cold-blooded) covered with scales, and equipped with two Dasyatidae is a family of rays, cartilaginous marine Fishes related to Skates and Sharks Dasyatids are common in tropical Sharks ( Superorder Selachimorpha) are a type of Fish with a full cartilaginous Skeleton and a highly streamlined body Chimaeras are cartilaginous fish in the order Chimaeriformes. Teleostei is one of three infraclasses in class Actinopterygii, the ray-finned fishes Monognathus is the only genus of the family Monognathidae of Deep sea Eel -like fishes Catfish ( order Siluriformes) are a very diverse group of bony Fish. There are two species of stonefish Synanceja verrucosa and Syanaceja horrida also known as the the reef stone or dornorn. The scorpionfish are a family ( Scorpaenidae) of mostly marine Fish that includes many of the world's most venomous species A Lionfish is any of several species of Venomous marine Fish in the genera Pterois, Parapterois, The Chimaeras Cartilaginous fishes of the order Chimaeriformes are also sometimes called "rabbitfishes" Acanthuridae ("thorn tail" is the family of surgeonfishes tang and unicornfishes. The scats are a small family Scatophagidae, of fishes in the order Perciformes. The stargazers are a family Uranoscopidae of Perciform Fish that have eyes on top of their heads (thus the name Weevers (or Weaverfish) are eight species of Fish of family Trachinidae, order Perciformes. Carangidae is a family of fish which includes the jacks Pompanos Jack mackerels and scads The sabre-toothed blenny, Aspidontus taeniatus, is a species of Blenny that Mimics the "dance" of Labroides dimidiatus This article is about the fish for the fictional television character see Toadfish Rebecchi. In fact, recent studies have shown that there are more venomous ray-finned fishes than all other venomous vertebrates combined. Vertebrates are members of the Subphylum Vertebrata, Chordates with backbones or spinal columns The grouping sometimes includes There are many other venomous invertebrates, including jellyfish and cone snails. Jellyfish are free-swimming members of the phylum Cnidaria. They have several different basic morphologies that represent several different cnidarian classes including the The cone snails or cone shells, sometimes simply known as "cones" (family Conidae) are a Taxonomic family of medium-sized to large sophisticated The box jellyfish is widely considered the most venomous creature in the world. Box jellyfish are invertebrates belonging to the class Cubozoa, named for their Cube -shaped medusae. [2] Some mammals are also venomous, including solenodons, shrews, the slow loris, and the male platypus. Solenodons are Nocturnal, burrowing Insectivorous Mammals belonging to the family Solenodontidae. The slow lorises are three species of Loris and are classified as the genus Nycticebus. The Platypus ( Ornithorhynchus anatinus) is a semi- aquatic Mammal endemic to eastern Australia, including Tasmania.
Because they are tasked to defend their hives and food stores, bees synthesize and employ an acidic venom (apitoxin) to cause pain in those that they sting, whereas wasps use a chemically different venom designed to paralyze prey, so it can be stored alive in the food chambers of their young. The use of venom is much more widespread than just these examples, of course.
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Venomous vs. poisonous
There is a difference between organisms that are "venomous" and those that are "poisonous", two commonly confused terms applied to plant and animal life. In the context of Biology, poisons are substances that can cause damage, Illness, or Death to Organisms usually by Plants are living Organisms belonging to the kingdom Plantae. Venomous, as stated above, refers to animals that deliver (often, inject) venom into their prey when hunting or as a defense mechanism. Poisonous, on the other hand, describes plants or animals that are harmful when consumed or touched. [1] A poison tends to be distributed over a large part of the body of the organism producing it, while venom is typically propduced in organs specialized for the purpose. [2] One species of bird, the hooded pitohui, although not venomous, is poisonous, secreting a neurotoxin onto its skin and feathers. The Hooded Pitohui, Pitohui dichrous is a Songbird of New Guinea with black and orange plumage A neurotoxin is a Toxin that acts specifically on nerve cells ( Neurons, usually by interacting with Membrane proteins such as Ion channels The slow loris, a primate, blurs the boundary between poisonous and venomous; it has poison-secreting patches on the inside of its elbows which it is believed to smear on its young to prevent them from being eaten. The slow lorises are three species of Loris and are classified as the genus Nycticebus. However, it will also lick these patches, giving it a venomous bite.
Snake venom
Snake venom is produced by glands below the eye and delivered to the victim through tubular or channeled fangs. Snake venom is highly modified saliva that is produced by special glands of certain species of Snakes. Snake poisons contain a variety of peptide toxins. Peptides (from the Greek πεπτίδια, "small digestibles" are short Polymers formed from the linking in a defined order of α- Amino Snakes use their venom principally for hunting, though the threat of being bitten serves also as a defense. Snake bites cause a variety of symptoms including pain, swelling, tissue damage, low blood pressure, convulsions, and hemorrhaging (varying by species of snake).
Doctors treat victims of a venomous bite with antivenin, which is created by dosing an animal such as a sheep, horse, goat, or rabbit with a small amount of the targeted venom. Antivenin (or antivenom or antivenene) is a biological product used in the treatment of venomous bites or stings The horse ( Equus caballus) is a hoofed ( Ungulate) Mammal, one of eight living species of the family Equidae. The domestic goat ( Capra aegagrus hircus) is a subspecies of goat Domesticated from the Wild goat of Southwest Asia and Eastern Europe Rabbits are small Mammals in the family Leporidae of the order Lagomorpha, found in several parts of the world The immune system of the subject animal responds to the dose, producing antibodies to the venom's active molecule; the antibodies can then be harvested from the animal's blood and applied to treat envenomation in others. Antibodies (also known as immunoglobulins, abbreviated Ig) are Gamma globulin Proteins that are found in Blood or other Bodily This treatment can be used effectively only a limited number of times for a given person, however, as that person will ultimately develop antibodies to neutralize the foreign animal antibodies injected into him (anti-antibody antibodies). Even if that person does not suffer a serious allergic reaction to the antivenom, his own immune system can destroy the antivenin before the antivenin can destroy the venom. Though most people never require even one treatment of antivenin in their lifetime, let alone several, people who work with snakes or other venomous animals may. Fortunately, these people often develop antibodies of their own against the venom of whatever animals they handle, and thereby are protected without the assistance of exogenous antibodies.
Aristolochia rugosa and Aristolochia trilobata, or "Dutchman's Pipe," are recorded in a list of plants used worldwide and in the West Indies, South and Central America against snakebites and scorpion stings. Aristolochic acid inhibits inflammation induced by immune complexes, and nonimmunological agents (carrageenan or croton oil). Aristolochic acid is a Rodent Carcinogen found in the Aristolochia and Asarum Species, both in the Aristolochic acid inhibits the activity of snake venom phospholipase (PLA2) by forming a 1:1 complex with the enzyme. Since phospholipase enzymes play a significant part in the cascade leading to the inflammatory and pain response, their inhibition could lead to relief of problems from scorpion envenomation.
See also
- Toxin
- Poison
- Toxinology
- Schmidt Sting Pain Index
- Venomous mammals
- Venomous fish
- Big Four (Indian snakes)
- Envenomation
- Venomous animals (category)
Notes
- ^ E. A toxin ( Greek:, toxikon, lit (poison for use on arrows is a Poisonous substance produced by living cells or organisms that is active at very low In the context of Biology, poisons are substances that can cause damage, Illness, or Death to Organisms usually by Toxinology is the specialized area of Toxicology that deals specifically with animal plant and microbial toxins but is also considered a science in its own right The Schmidt Sting Pain Index or the Justin O Schmidt Pain Index is a Pain scale rating the relative pain caused by different Hymenopteran stings Venomous mammals are animals of the class Mammalia that produce Venom, which they use to kill or disable prey or to defend themselves from predators Venomous fish are Fish that produce Venom. There are at least 1200 species of venomous fish and they include the Stonefish, Lionfish, Scorpion The Big Four are the Venomous snake species considered to be India's and Pakistan's most dangerous as together they account for nearly all Indian and Pakistani Envenomation is the process by which venom is injected into some animal by the bite (or sting of a venomous animal g. , Kenneth G. Wilson, The Columbia Guide to Standard American English. 1993.
- ^ Zoltan Takacs, The Biology of Venomous Animals. Session 1. Columbia University, 2001.
Bibliography
- Leo Smith and Ward C. Wheeler. 2006. Venom evolution widespread in fishes: A phylogenetic road map for the bioprospecting of piscine venoms. Journal of Heredity 97(3): 206-217.
- Lans C, Harper T, Georges K, Bridgewater E. 2001. Medicinal and ethnoveterinary remedies of hunters in Trinidad. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2001;1:10. Epub 2001 Nov 30. http://www.biomedcentral.com/1472-6882/1/10
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