Next blog assignment - Toxins.
Do you think of skulls too when you hear toxins? No? Okay. But for those who had craniums pop into their minds, congratulations :D we think alike. It's no surprise because the skull has been used universally to warn for danger, specifically in regard to poisonous substance.
A brief history, you know Jolly Roger?No, he's not someone lol. It's something -- the traditional flag used by pirates, the skull-and-crossbones symbol. It is also used by a secret society at Yale University, as well as by Phi Kappa Sigma, an international male collegiate fraternity. Pretty popular huh? And for us medicine-inclined people, anyone who doesn't know what it represents is just..... you know what. Again, it is a symbol for toxic substances.
Okay so really, why skulls? dan-dananan. Because that's how you might end up if you expose yourself to toxins and you don't get immediate attention. About the cross-bones, the Templars (one of the most famous Western Christian military orders) believed that only the skull and two bones were needed to be buried to go to heaven. --weird?
Now what are toxins? WHAT IS.A TOXIN?
In it's formal definition, it doesn't mean just any toxic substance like your laundry detergents and bleach, or too much monosodium glutamate, not even those in the laboratory like lead sulfide, or potassium permanganate. Toxins are biologically produced, meaning they are poisons manufactured inside living organisms, not artificially made (Toxicants - made by man). They usually are peptides, consisting of hundreds of amino acid chains, or proteins--one hundred thousand a.a. chains-- that are capable of causing disease upon contact with, ingestion, or absorption by body tissues.
It is a dangerous world around us. There's a battle between different species, and even between the same kind of species. Man vs man; we're all familiar of that. Insects vs man (◄ Ants and mosquito killer... ◄ ) Plants vs animals. Animals vs animals. And so on..Toxins play a role in the battlefield.
Starting off with this awesome cross-breed of duck(bill), beaver(tail), and otter(feet), I bet you know him.
It's Psyduck :D He's actually a Platypus, a mammal endemic to Eastern Australia. Looks like a shy and gentle creature, but mind you, it has the nasty ability to paralyze anyone whom he thinks should have a taste of his venom. The poison is delivered from the spur on the hind foot of males, only males. They use this as an offensive weapon to assert dominance and control territory during the breeding season.
The pain is intensified because nocioceptors, the nerve cells responsible for processing pain, are directly affected by the acidic venom.
• Edema rapidly develops around the wound and gradually spreads throughout the limbs.
- This is caused by the components of the venom including a protein that increases blood flow to the spur site, and digestive enzymes such as hyaluronidase and peptidase that dissolve body tissue helping the the poison to spread.
• Pain is resistant to morphine and other pain-killing drugs.
• Anaesthesia of the main nerve from the spur site is often the only way to relieve the patient's suffering.
- Scientists have been studying the venom for many years now to know the exact contents of it and how it works to develop new pain relief medications, not just for the Platypus venom.
What are the only mammals that produce eggs instead of birthing young ones?
- Monotremes, which include only three species: Two spiny anteaters and the platypus. 
Next, we have.. guess what insect. Clue: Do you recognize the sexy pool monster, Jeanette Lee? She ranked as the no.1 female pool player in the world during the 1990s and continues to receive titles until this 2000's.Have any guess now? Next we have is a spider. Lee's called the Black Widow, and here we will talk about the real Black Widow spider with the famous red hour-glass on its underside.
From its large venom glands come also large protein toxins -- latrotoxins (alpha-latrotoxin being the most studied) -- that open cation channels presynaptically, causing increased release of multiple neurotransmitters. This results in
• Muscle cramping - may either be just around the area bitten, or it may extend into large muscle groups such as the abdomen that may become rigid, chest, and thighs
• Tachycardia - rapid heart rate
• Hypertension
• Headache, nausea and vomiting
• Anxiety
• Mild weakness
• Fasciculations - involuntary muscle contractions, "muscle twitch"
• Ptosis - "drooping eyelid" caused by weakness of the muscle responsible for raising the upper eyelid
• Latrodectus facies - spasm of facial muscles, edematous eyelids and lacrimation
• Bronchorrhea and pulmonary edema
Now we go to something that is more likely to happen nearby -- BEE STING.
Dare to lay a hand on their hive and you will have to run for your life.
Apitoxin, or honey bee venom, causes local inflammation and has anticoagulant properties that may lead to rheumatism and joint diseases.
The venom contains peptides and enzymes that destroy:
○ the lipid layer lining of cells
○ Mast cells
> histamine is released
> blood vessels are encouraged to dilate
> immune cells reach the sting site faster
> venom is neutralized
However, in people with bee sting allergies:
> too much histamine is released
> the blood vessels' dilation response is extreme
> they can no longer do their part in regulating blood pressure
> blood pressure drops rapidly
> cells stop receiving oxygen
> anaphylactic shock >> swelling, spasms >> death.
The typical treatment is an injection of epinephrine, which constricts the blood vessels, helping to restore blood pressure and oxygen delivery.
Clinical symptoms include:- localized reaction:
• swelling
• itching
• pain
- systemic allergic reaction
• nausea and vomiting
• diarrhea
- anaphylactic reactions
• difficulty in breathing
• a drop in blood pressure that leads to shock if not treated promptly
Not all will have allergic reactions to bees and wasps sting; only about 3% of the victims. And 0.8% of them can suffer from anaphylaxis, a life-threatening whole-body allergic reaction.
When a bee stings you, it leaves its stinger that remains in the skin and continues to pump venom into the body for up to 20 minutes. o_0 And along with apitoxin, the bee releases pheromones that attract other bees. Ha. You're doomed. Swarm attack!
But at least they die right after bringing you such suffering >:) Yeah, here's a ☼ trivia again: Honey bees are the only species of bees to die after stinging. They leave behind not only the stinger, but also part of their abdomen and digestive tract (ew), plus muscles and nerves. This massive abdominal rupture is what kills the honey bee.
When a bee stings you, it leaves its stinger that remains in the skin and continues to pump venom into the body for up to 20 minutes. o_0 And along with apitoxin, the bee releases pheromones that attract other bees. Ha. You're doomed. Swarm attack!
But at least they die right after bringing you such suffering >:) Yeah, here's a ☼ trivia again: Honey bees are the only species of bees to die after stinging. They leave behind not only the stinger, but also part of their abdomen and digestive tract (ew), plus muscles and nerves. This massive abdominal rupture is what kills the honey bee.
Treatments?
How are bees and wasps different?
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How are bees and wasps different?
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Plants can't be underestimated just because they can't move. And I realized maybe it's also because they are immobile that is why they produce toxins to defend themselves. "I can't run away? Okay then, come here and try me."
Meet Death angel. haha! name's so cheesy. It is because Amanita ocreata, a mushroom that primarily lives in the Pacific Northwest and Western North America, looks so innocent with it's white color and kind appearance, but it is actually deadly. Amatoxin, damages the liver cells causing liver and kidney failure and possibly death.
- gastrointestinal and abdominal pain
- vomiting
- diarrhea
Does this scene look familiar?♪♫ I saw mommy kissing...
Right, that plant right there is the Mistletoe, which is actually poisonous. (Who knew that? :p) It is native to Europe and northern Asia. European mistletoe grows on host trees, especially apple trees.
There are several species of mistletoe.
The Phoradendron species contain a toxin called phoratoxin, which can cause:
- nausea
- abdominal pain
- diarrhea
- blood pressure changes
- death
The Viscum species of mistletoe contain viscotoxin, and different chemicals including the poisonous alkaloid tyramine.
- hypotension- slowing of heartbeat
- constriction of the blood vessels in the skin and skeletal muscles
And last.
Every part of the coconut tree has uses, right? Well Jimson weed doesn't lose to it. All parts of this plant are... poisonous!
Bad news: Poisoning is more common in humans than in animals. Children can get attracted by flowers and consume Jimsonweed accidentally. *sigh* Kids, Jimsonweed is not Santan, okay? So please, don't get interested to it's juice. It's not watermelon either, so leave the seeds of the plant alone.
Tropane alkaloids cause the toxicity of the Jimson weed. Other toxic chemicals include atropine, scopolamine, and hyoscyamine.
Clinical Signs of Jimsonweed Poisoning
- Early Signs and Symptoms:
- rapid pulse
- dry mouth
- polydipsia
- rapid breathing
- dilated pupils
- muscular twitching
- diarrhea
- delirium
- Fatal Cases:
- weak pulse
- irregular breathing
- lower body temperature
- retained urine
- convulsions
- coma
Jimson weed photos to enjoy =)
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IF YOU READ ALL OF THAT
salute!
Nature can be a bit cruel, but we have to understand that it's just protecting itself, and it is God Who created everything like that =)
Just beware. Not every plant is edible; not every leaf can be made into tea. And for animals that don't know you, you're always a predator and it's either they will get scared, or.. something you surely won't like will happen to you.
Just beware. Not every plant is edible; not every leaf can be made into tea. And for animals that don't know you, you're always a predator and it's either they will get scared, or.. something you surely won't like will happen to you.
Just a thought... If only those trees in our forests had toxins too that splash! when they're cut, no one would dare discover the word 'deforestation'.
And no one would attempt to sacrifice the luscious trees along McArthur highway for this road widening project >;[
Good day to all :)
And no one would attempt to sacrifice the luscious trees along McArthur highway for this road widening project >;[
Good day to all :)
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