Animal and Plant Toxins


 Before we start talking about plant and animal toxins let me first explain what are toxins.
Toxins are poisonous substances produced within a living cell or organism. These are small molecules that could either be proteins or peptides that are capable of causing disease in contact with or by absorption of body tissues interacting with bio molecules such as enzymes or cellular receptors. 

                                                               
Animal toxins are also known as "venom", there are many source of animal toxins, they can be seen in spiders, insects, snakes, lizards, fish, frogs, and etc. These organisms may either use them for predation (catching prey) or for defense.


Some animal toxins target Ca and K channels, which are found on the surface of the nerve and the muscle, that have a very basic role in maintaining and propagating action potential and muscle contraction. This is to immobilize the prey of the organism. And some of them target acetylcholine receptor, it acts on the neuromascular junction but not on the muscle cell. This will then trigger the release of acetylcholine which would lead to neuromascularblockage, leading to respiratory failure and eventually death. x_x
Some animal toxins have enzymes that is used for digestive functions, these are mostly found in snake venom's.

Now lets move on to plant toxins. Unlike animals, plants don't have the luxury of having teeth, claws, and legs to get out of a tight spot, instead they make use of their chemical properties as a form of defense towards unwanted predators. Lucky for us there are many plant toxins that are very helpful to humans, they are used as humans-vitamins, nutrients, antioxidants, anticarcinogens, and many compounds with medicinal value. But there are also some that cause adverse effects, most common of them is allergic dermatitis and some of the plants that cause it are : Philodendron, poison ivy, cashew, bulbs of daffodils, hyacinths, and tulips. Some plants could also cause stomach irritation like horse chest nuts and poke weeds, and many other symp`toms like seizures, liver failure, vasoconstriction and etc. 
This would some how vary in the amount of consumption but it is very much important to choose the type of plant that is to be used or eaten. :)

 

References:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toxin
http://activenocarber.myfreeforum.org/archive/plant-toxins__o_t__t_245.html
http://www.fathom.com/course/10701017/session3.html

Clinical Chemistry 16-C

A poem about Anterior Pituitary hormones.

She cries aloud, caused by the pain

(Its dark and clumped, someone pull me out)

She feels it, she knows it without a doubt

The pangs she's bearing for me wont be in vain

Time to time the pain stops 

Numbness follows after that

BETA - ENDORPHIN aids in this

Inhibiting the perception of pain

One last push, she brought me out

(Its bright, Its cold, Where am I?)

(I cry lustily to all the unfamiliarities)

Her voice, I heard

Her skin, I touched

Her heartbeat, I felt once more

Nothing in the world can soothe me 

but the warmth i feel in her arms

(What's this I'm feeling?)

(I cried once more)

She rises and held me back to her arms

and places my head near her breast

I stopped and sucked as rich milk flows

This milk filled with warmth

produced by her, stimulated by PROLACTIN

I stare at her and she stares back 

She hushed and hums me back to sleep

Years have passed and I have grown

all thanks to you and GROWTH HORMONE

You're always there I've always known

Never letting me feel alone

You always come home stressed from work 

ADRENOCORTICOTROPIC HORMONE

would response to this

But nevertheless you always say

"That my child would always take my stress away"

You provided me everything I needed

Not too much and never less

Like my THYROID STIMULATING HORMONE

that helps me balance in my metabolism

As I grow older I noticed changes 

afraid, I distant a part from you

but you know me well, you hugged me tight

and said " I know, I've been through it too"

My body, changed shaped 

I bled for several days

due to the production of LUTEINIZING HORMONE

and FOLLICLE - STIMULATING HORMONE

I was scared but you were always there

to teach me of what to do

Once in awhile I trouble you

But in the end 

You'd always say

You Love me and everything was never in vain

"A mother's love for her child is like nothing else in the world. It knows no law, no pity, it dares all things and crushes down remorselessly all that stands in its path."
-- Agatha Christie