Animal and Plant Toxin

Toxins are substances coming from the plants and animals that are poisonous to humans. They are also use for therapeutic medications but it causes diseases or death when used in excess amount.

photo credit: google image

..............................................

ANIMAL TOXIN is a toxin resembling bacterial toxins in its antigenic properties that is found in the fluids of certain animals.

 EXAMPLES:                                            

•  Frog toxin                                            
•  Snake toxin                                          
•  Scorpion toxin

photo credit: google image

Frog toxin

    Baxtrachotoxin is a toxin commonly secreted by frogs. It has a strong cardiotoxic and neurotoxic alkaloids. Baxtrachotoxin directly affect the sodium channels in the peripheral nervous system of an organism activating the channels and forcing them to remain open. This toxin can lead to death By irreversibly blocking the transmission of regular signals throughout the body over an extended period of time. 

Natures TWIST

photo credit: google image

    Due to the effect of  batrochotoxins  which is about  specific effect on the sodium channels, the toxin becomes an important tool for the study of the role of Na+ channels in the nervous system, and neuromuscular system. In Ecuador, a small frog, Epipedobates tricolor, produces epibatidine, an alkaloid that can be used as a painkiller. This compound works with nicotinic acetylcholine receptors and has been investigated for the possibility of the toxin being a treatment for Alzheimer’s or nerve pain injury.

Snake Toxin

photo credit: google image

    The very popular snake that is very poisonous with a single bite is the KING COBRA. Snake toxins have some of the most diverse mechanisms of disrupting human physiology. Snake venom has the ability to behave as a procoagulant or anticoagulant. The toxin has the ability to activate coagulation factors in the blood system that will start the clotting reaction in the circulatory system.  The release of or von Willebrand  factor initiates am increase of plaquets in the organism facilitating coagulation. Likewise, toxins can force normal proteins to change from a non-functional stage to one that promotes coagulation . Examples of snakes producing coagulant toxins are Vipera russellii, Notechis scutatus,and Bothrops sp. Usually, these coagulant toxins are also accompanied by the addition of other toxic components such as neurotoxins, myotoxins, etc.

Natures TWIST

photo credit: google image

    Snake toxins can be used to correct clotting problems in humans, especially the anticoagulant compounds. Fibrolase is a toxin compound isolated from a copperhead snake. It has anticoagulant properties that have direct action on the clotting proteins in a human hence helping to eliminate clots in thrombosis. Hannalgesin, a toxin king cobras produce, is a neurotoxin that can be used as an analgesic in small quantities 36 in 11 without disrupting neurological or muscular functions.

  

Scorpion toxin

photo credit: google image

    Scorpion venom is made up of neurotoxins and other proteins that can cause paralysis or death. The consequence of a scorpion sting depends highly on the amount of venom injected, the site stung, the immunological reaction of the patient, among other factors. The toxins found in scorpion venom typically alter the pathways to the release of neurotransmitter by hindering the pre-synaptic mechanisms that release neurotransmitters, like acetylcholine in neuromuscular junctions. These junction sites are found throughout the whole nervous system. Like in many toxins that are found on this site, this leads to paralysis.

Natures TWIST

photo credit: google image

    Despite the high toxicity found in a scorpion sting, the therapeutic properties have long been known in human history. The extracts produced by some of these venoms have been proven to treat, paralysis, epilepsy as well as serve as an analgesic. The anti-nociceptive properties of the venom are a result of peptide toxins found inside the venom In the case of a peptide toxin found in Bothus Martense, the toxins block the sensation or neural transmission of pain.

.....................................................................................................

PLANT TOXIN are any substance produced by plants that is similar in its properties to extracellular bacterial toxin

  EXAMPLES:

• Daphne (Daphne Mezereum)
• Poison Ivy (Toxicodendron Radicans)
• Bracken fern (Pteridium Aquilinium)

Daphne (Daphne Mezereum)

photo credit: google image

Daphne, also called spurge laurel, lady laurel, paradise plant, or dwarf bay.  All parts of daphne contain toxins, but the greatest concentrations occur in the bark, sap, and berries. Mezerein, an acrid resin producing a severe skin irritation and daphnin, a bitter, poisonous glycoside. These are extremely active toxins. Though some researchers suggest that extracts of daphne may have potential for treating leukemia, the plant is also known to be co-carcinogenic in the presence of low doses of carcinogenic compounds. Even a single berry chewed but not swallowed typically causes intense burning in the throat and mouth. Consumption of a few berries can cause upset stomach, headaches, diarrhea, delirium, and convulsions. If the victim falls into a coma, death can ensue.

Poison Ivy (Toxicodendron Radicans)

photo credit: google image

    Poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans, T. rydbergii) is the cliché cause of skin irritation. It is a member of the otherwise tropical cashew family, which includes both cashew and pistachio nuts. All parts of poison ivy, even the pollen, are potentially irritating. Volatile oils, which can cause severe skin reactions, especially in spring and summer, when the plants are actively growing. Not everyone is equally sensitive to this toxin. Children develop allergic reactions typically after several exposures, but may “grow out of them” as they get older. The severity of symptoms is also greatest in cool, dry weather; heat and humidity render the toxin inert. Contact with poison ivy causes, itching, burning, and redness of the skin, with blisters appearing up to five days after contact. Touching contaminated areas before they are thoroughly cleaned just spreads the irritant and should be discouraged. More-serious reactions include headaches, fever, and large blisters. 

Bracken fern (Pteridium Aquilinium)

photo credit: google image

    Bracken is generally found in upland, dry, or rocky sites. Bracken fern is very common worldwide. It is toxic to both livestock and humans and has been incriminated in the high incidence of stomach cancer. Seen in 

Leaves and stems containing the latex. 

Consumption of leaves and stems, by children or those seeking a herbal cure.

  

........................................................................
Reference:
http://www.bio.davidson.edu/people/midorcas/animalphysiology/websites/2010/Baldeon/index.htm
http://museum.gov.ns.ca/poison/default.asp?section=plants

Anterior Pituitary Hormones ( In the beggining)

photo credit: google image

I admire GOD so much with everything He made

For everything made are balanced and connected,

At first Adam and Eve becomes each other’s aid,

And they become one until eve bare a fruit.

photo credit: google image

Eve's prolactin begun to work,

Her breasts are like fruits that takes time to be ripe,

And when her baby came and sees the world,

It asks for her mother’s fruit and sucks its milk.

Thyroid simulating hormones boost his metabolism,

And regulates his calcium; thus his bones becomes harder,

His teeth begun to grow, until he does not want milk anymore,

He wanted to eat meat and fish so he did eat.

Time has passed and their son become taller

Luteinizing hormone changes his body as he matures.

Follicle stimulating hormone helps him produce gamete,

For in future he will find his path and make his own family.

Thank you oh LORD!! For this is a gift of life.....

Though life is full of stress which is cause by adrenocorticothropic hormone

Still I awe you, for I know

Your always be there... FOREVER

photo credit: google image

Clinical Chemistry 3

Endocrinology, Toxicology, Drug testing




Endocrinology

          Endocrinology deals with Endocrine system, diseases and monitors the activity of 


hormones which acts as a catalysts for changes in cells. Hormones are also messengers which 


are responsible in initiating biochemical reaction which are responsible for homeostasis.
  

Toxicology

          

         Toxicology stalks about toxins which are poisonous in nature and could cause disease 

when it is introduced to the body. Toxicology also tells us on how the body handle the poison 

and what the poison do  to the body.

Drug Testing

          Drug testing detects the presence of drugs such as cocaine, heroin, ecstasy etc. by 

observing and analyzing the urine, hair, blood or saliva. People says drugs can take u to 

heaven or rather feels like heaven specially for those who are drug users. 

There are several  reasons why people taking drugs, some are:

• Peer Pressure
• Sociality
• They are best friends you can lean on incomes of problems. 

Whatever reasons we are talking about drugs, still drugs can harm us and the people around 

us especially if you abuse it.

..............................................................................................................

all photos are credited by deviantart.com