__________ are poisonous substances of natural origin produced by an animal, plant, or microbe
BIOLOGICAL TOXINS. Toxins are defined as any toxic substance of natural origin produced by an animal, plant, or microbe. They are different from chemical agents such as VX, cyanide, or mustard in that they are not man-made. In biology, poisons are substances that cause disturbances in organisms, usually by chemical reaction or other activity on the molecular scale, when an organism absorbs a sufficient quantity. The fields of medicine (particularly veterinary) and zoology often distinguish a poison from a toxin, and from a venom. Toxins are poisons produced by organisms in nature, and venoms are toxins injected by a bite or sting (this is exclusive to animals). Exotoxins have specific reaction sites in the host; e.g., tetanus and botulinum exotoxins affect nerve tissue, and streptococcal toxins attack vascular tissue. Plants and animals also produce protein toxins. Some, such as cobra venom, are enzymes that destroy substances in host tissue. Endotoxins are polysaccharide and phospholipid substances found in the cell walls of bacteria that are freed when the cells die and break up. Confidence votes 890. Any substance, organic or inorganic, if when taken under 50 mililiters causes detrimental effects, are toxins. Thus, any poisonous substance of natural origin is considered a poison. exists and is an alternate of . Any substance, organic or inorganic, if when taken under 50 mililiters causes detrimental effects, are toxins. Thus, any poisonous substance of natural origin is considered a poison. For other uses, see Toxin (disambiguation). A toxin (from Ancient Greek: τοξικόν toxikon) is a poisonous substance produced within living cells or organisms; synthetic toxicants created by artificial processes are thus excluded. The term was first used by organic chemist Ludwig Brieger (1849–1919). All 3 can make toxins. Animals: Snakes and Gila monsters are poisonous, for example. Plants: The deadly Nightshade plant. Microbes: The botulinus bacterium. SOCIETY(ACUTE,CHRONIC HEALTH CONDITIONS,DEATH), ENVIRONMENT(WATER,LOSS OF PRODUCTIVE LAND-DESTROY FOOD ITEMS),TRANSPORTATION,GOV'T ENTITIES AND STRAIN ON RESOURCES(BUDGET,EQUIPMENT,MATERIALS,REDUCTION ON SERVICES),HEALTHCARE. Some poisons are also toxins, which is any poison produced by animals, vegetables or bacterium, such as the bacterial proteins that cause tetanus and botulism. A distinction between the two terms is not always observed, even among scientists. The derivative forms toxic and poisonous are synonymous. Properly, a poisonous protein, especially of bacterial origin. However, nonproteinaceous poisons, such as fungal aflatoxins and plant alkaloids, are often called toxins. See Aflatoxin, Alkaloid. Bacterial exotoxins are proteins of disease-causing bacteria that are usually secreted and have deleterious effects.
Toxins