What are the classifications of toxins?

Toxins may be classified as exotoxins (those excreted by an organism, for example, bufotoxin) or endotoxins (toxins that are structurally part of bacteria, for example, botulinum). The most toxic compound is the toxin botulinum, produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum.

What are the three types of toxins?

There are generally three types of toxic entities; chemical, biological, and physical. Chemicals include inorganic substances such as lead, hydrofluoric acid, and chlorine gas, organic compounds such as methyl alcohol, most medications, and poisons from living things.

What are plant toxins called?

phytotoxins
Cyanogenic glycosides are phytotoxins (toxic chemicals produced by plants) which occur in at least 2000 plant species, of which a number of species are used as food in some areas of the world. Cassava, sorghum, stone fruits, bamboo roots and almonds are especially important foods containing cyanogenic glycosides.

What are two examples of plant toxins?

Common examples of natural toxins in food plants include lectins in beans such as green beans, red kidney beans and white kidney beans; cyanogenic glycosides in bitter apricot seed, bamboo shoots, cassava, and flaxseeds; glycoalkaloids in potatoes; 4′-methoxypyridoxine in ginkgo seeds; colchicine in fresh lily flowers; …

How many types of toxins are there?

Types. There are generally five types of toxic entities; chemical, biological, physical, radiation and behavioural toxicity: Disease-causing microorganisms and parasites are toxic in a broad sense but are generally called pathogens rather than toxicants.

What are toxins and describe their types and effects?

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.

What are examples of toxins?

Radon in basements, lead in drinking water, exhausts from cars and chemicals released from landfills are just a few examples of toxic substances that can hurt you. By understanding how, you can reduce your exposure to chemicals and reduce your risk of harmful health effects.

What is the most toxic plant?

Castor oil plant
8. Castor oil plant the most poisonous in the world. The most poisonous plant in the world according to the Guinness Book of World Records, the Castor oil plant is also known as the “palm of Christ”, or Palma Christi, which stems from the plant oil’s ability to heal wounds.

Which plants have the most toxins?

Get to know some of the most infamous plants and their poisons with this macabre list.
  • Water Hemlock (Cicuta maculata) …
  • Deadly Nightshade (Atropa belladonna) …
  • White Snakeroot (Ageratina altissima) …
  • Castor Bean (Ricinus communis) …
  • Rosary Pea (Abrus precatorius) …
  • Oleander (Nerium oleander) …
  • Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum)

What are examples of toxins?

Radon in basements, lead in drinking water, exhausts from cars and chemicals released from landfills are just a few examples of toxic substances that can hurt you. By understanding how, you can reduce your exposure to chemicals and reduce your risk of harmful health effects.

What are the 3 major ways people are exposed to toxins?

The different ways a person can come into contact with hazardous chemicals are called exposure pathways. There are three basic exposure pathways: inhalation, ingestion, and skin contact. Inhalation is breathing or inhaling into the lungs.

What are toxins in the human body?

Toxins are substances created by plants and animals that are poisonous (toxic) to humans. Toxins may also include some medicines that are helpful in small doses, but poisonous in large amounts. Most toxins that cause problems in humans come from germs such as bacteria.

What are the 2 main types of bacterial toxins?

Bacterial toxins are mainly divided into two types based on their source: exotoxins and endotoxins.

What four factors can affect toxicity?

3.2: Factors Affecting Toxicity
  • Form and Innate Chemical Activity.
  • Dosage.
  • Exposure Route.
  • Absorption.

What is a LD50 and LC50?

LD50 is the abbreviation used for the dose which kills 50% of the test population. LC50 is the abbreviation used for the exposure concentration of a toxic substance lethal to half of the test animals. LD50 is expressed in milligrams per kilogram of body weight of the test animal (which must be mentioned).

What are toxicity hazards?

A toxic hazard may be defined as any substance which has the ability to cause harm or damage to living organisms. The term ‘toxin’ is often used synonymously with any poison, but should be reserved to mean any toxic chemical which originates from a biological organism.

What do you mean by ld50?

LD50 is the amount of a material, given all at once, which causes the death of 50% (one half) of a group of test animals. The LD50 is one way to measure the short-term poisoning potential (acute toxicity) of a material. Toxicologists can use many kinds of animals but most often testing is done with rats and mice.