" TOXINS"

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While I am searching for the definition of toxin I accidentally clicked a link about a superhero in the marvel comic universe (try to search in Google and type Toxin). A character named Toxin, the third major symbiote of Spider-Man considers an ally, despite temporary alliances with Venom. Alright, before I talk about Toxin (The poisonous substance) allow me first to tell something about the other Toxin (the comic character). Toxin possesses the special abilities of his two symbiote predecessors: he can stick to walls, can change his identity to that of a completely different person, and also has unlimited webbing. Toxin can also blend in with his surroundings and become undetectable, and he can form solid weapons from his limbs, aren’t you amaze of his abilities and powers?

                Well I am quite amaze about this character,hahaha.. So before I get lost about my real intention here, to present what Toxins are and its effect in human health, let me start of presenting about the real TOXIN.

TOXINS are a poisonous substance that can be a small molecule, peptides, or proteins that are capable of causing different kinds of complications on contact with or absorption by body tissues   and are produce within living cells or organisms. These are produced by numerous organisms, e.g., bacteria, fungi, algae and even plants. The word “Toxin” was first used by the organic chemist Ludwig Brieger.

TOXIN ( The Comic Character)                 Vs          Toxin ( The Poisonous Substance)
he can stick to walls	It can stick anywhere especially to a stranger (humans)
Can change his identity to that of a completely different person.	It has different identities dependent on its origin and severity of infection.
Can blend in with his surroundings and become undetectable	Toxins are anywhere without you noticing that even in a small thing it can surely harm your health.

So now at least you already have an idea of what Toxin can do to you.

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Now let us face the reality that even some plants in our garden may contain toxins that might be harmful for us. We all know that some plants are edible, tangible, and some are even for therapeutic purposes. But some are not good for our appetite because they are poisonous, cannot be touched because they might cause irritants, and cannot be used for herbal medications because it might cause adverse effects. These are the Plant Toxins.

Toxicity is not only applicable to chemicals and other poisonous objects, but also in nature most specifically for plants. Their effects are similar with that of other poisonous objects wherein it can be poisonous when eaten, can cause irritations when touched, or when smelled. The only difference is that Plant Toxins are ubiquitous, meaning they can be found anywhere. 

The link below contains some Plant Toxins found and secreted by variety of plants.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Plant_toxins

Plant toxins are like other poisons which have undesirable effects to different parts of the body:

1.       Skin, the largest organ at risk. We may experience itchiness and rashes when we come contact with the plant that contains toxins, and we can also experience numbness and some stinging sensation.

2.       Mouth, occurs when we have eaten plants (crops) that without our knowledge contains toxins. Swelling and pain will be the common consequence.

3.       The evilness of these toxins does not end in the mouth. These toxins will go all the way to our stomach that will instantly inducing vomiting, nausea, and diarrhea.

4.       Liver, that may lead to Failure, Cirrhosis, Cancer and Death.

5.       Brain is the next target if the Toxins reached into the blood stream. There will come the headaches and seizures, excitation that will eventually cause muscle weakness. Others may cause hallucinations, memory lost, confusions and paralysis.

6.       Heart and Blood vessels. First sign of plant toxins affecting the heart and blood vessels is Weakness.

           By these information’s we are all aware of what Toxins can do to our body and it harm it brings especially to our health, that even our simple plants in our garden may contain these poisonous substance may instantly harm us.

           If there are poisonous substance present in plants is there a poisonous substance also present in animals? The answer is…….Yes! There is..

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                Animal Toxins are toxin resembling bacterial toxins in its antigenic properties that are found in the fluids of certain animals. One term that pops out of my mind when I hear Animal Toxins is “Venom”, which reminds me again of another comic character in the Comic Movie Spider-Man. Just like Venom ( in Spider-Man) this is an enemy for us, someone to avoid and scared of, because once it strikes us our percentage of living is severely decreased depending on the animal and the severity of the toxin it possess.

                I myself is a victim of this poisonous substance contain by animals, most common example are snakes. February 18, 2011 at around 9:30 in the evening, I went outside of our house to get something when I suddenly stepped on a round, slippery, and long object on the ground, then I felt like a cat had scratched my foot but when I looked down I saw a long snake on the ground. I was rushed to the hospital immediately then the doctor said that I was so lucky enough that the snake didn’t bit me that deep, if so I am already dead by now.

 Picture of the Snake that I stepped on...

 

                Animal Toxins have made a significant contribution to enhancing knowledge in human physiology and pharmacology. Information on the nature and mechanism of action of these toxins has enabled a more scientific approach to their treatment of their intoxification.

Examples of some Animals that possess Toxins and are dangerous are as follows:

• ·         Snake Venoms

• ·         Spider Venoms

• ·         Scorpion Venoms

• ·         Hymenoptera Venoms (honeybees, wasps, hornets)

• ·         Box Jelly fish

• ·         Colombian Frog

• ·         Blue-ringed Octopus

              Animal Toxins produces a wide range of both physiological and pharmacological disturbances:

•                     Disorders of function at the neuromuscular junction are of particular interest.

•                    Most intoxification requires close monitoring and some form of intensive care.

“it is unjust that when you have done a serpent should

You gather our poisons one by one and break them down to your good”.

                                                                -Kipling

When someone is exposed to this kind of poison, one should know the treatment. This is not rally for the poison itself. This is a different approach to manage the said case:

• 1.       First, when the vital signs of the patients are not normal, we have to stabilize it.

• 2.       Second, we have to find out the history of the patient and then evaluate it based on the information we have obtained.

• 3.       Third, when the toxin is eaten, prevent further absorption of it before it can further damage other organs.

• 4.       Fourth, if the poison had been specified, give the patient the antidote.

• 5.       Fifth, after preventing further absorption, hasten the elimination.

• 6.       Sixth, give the patient medication directed to the symptoms.

• 7.       Finally, monitor and watch out the patient.

We should watch out and be aware of every little thing that surrounds us, I’m not scaring you but let us face the reality that even a small insect or even a grass can kill us.

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