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What best describes a toxin?

What best describes a toxin?

A toxin is a chemical substance which damages an organism. A toxin may be as simple as an ion or atom which negatively interferes with a cell. A toxin can also be in the form of complex molecules such as the proteins found in snake venom.

How would you describe a toxin?

A toxin is a harmful substance produced within living cells or organisms; synthetic toxicants created by artificial processes are thus excluded. Toxins vary greatly in their toxicity, ranging from usually minor (such as a bee sting) to almost immediately deadly (such as botulinum toxin).

What are examples of toxins?

Poisons

  • botulinum toxin A (from bacteria Clostridium botulinum)
  • tetanus toxin A (from bacteria – Clostridium tetani)
  • diphtheria toxin (from bacteria – Corynebacterium diphtheriae)
  • dioxin (manufactured)
  • muscarine (from mushrooms – Amanita muscaria)
  • bufotoxin (from the common toad – genus Bufo)
  • sarin (manufactured).

What do toxins do?

Toxins damage enzymes and thus undermine countless bodily functions—inhibiting the production of hemoglobin in the blood, for example, or lowering the body’s capacity to prevent the free-radical damage that accelerates aging. Toxins displace structural minerals, resulting in weaker bones.

What does toxins mean for kids?

definition: having to do with or made of a poison; poisonous.

How do toxins form?

Key facts. Some natural toxins can be formed in food as defense mechanisms of plants, through their infestation with toxin-producing mould, or through ingestion by animals of toxin-producing microorganisms.

What is the sentence of toxic?

Examples of toxic in a Sentence Adjective The fumes from that chemical are highly toxic. Tests will be run to determine if the landfill is toxic.

How does toxins affect the body?

When toxins damage your enzymes, they prevent the production of hemoglobin in your blood, which can accelerate aging. It also can lead to the failure of energy production and lower your protection against oxidated stress. Failure of these normal body functions increases your risk of diseases like: Cancer.

How do toxins affect your body?

How does toxins released from the body?

Your body can clear itself of most toxins through the liver, feces, urine, and sweat.

What are toxins simple definition?

Definition of toxin : a poisonous substance that is a specific product of the metabolic activities of a living organism and is usually very unstable, notably toxic when introduced into the tissues, and typically capable of inducing antibody formation.

How are natural toxins harmful to human health?

Natural toxins can cause a variety of adverse health effects and pose a serious health threat to both humans and livestock. Some of these toxins are extremely potent. Adverse health effects can be acute poisoning ranging from allergic reactions to severe stomachache and diarrhoea, and even death.

Who is responsible for evaluating natural toxins in food?

A scientific expert committee jointly convened by WHO and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) – called JECFA – is the international body responsible for evaluating the health risk from natural toxins in food.

What do you need to know about the journal Toxins?

Visit our dedicated information section to learn more about MDPI. Toxins (ISSN 2072-6651) is an international, peer-reviewed open access journal which provides an advanced forum for studies related to toxins and toxicology. It publishes reviews, regular research papers and short communications.

How are toxins produced by plants and animals?

Some toxins are produced by plants as a natural defense mechanism against predators, insects or microorganisms, or as consequence of infestation with microorganisms, such as mould, in response to climate stress (such as drought or extreme humidity).