PHAR 300 Lecture 16: Concepts in Toxicology
28 Jan 2016
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Document Summary
Most plants are poisonous - cannot eat the majority of them. They are filled with toxins as a defense mechanism to protect themselves. It"s not just plants, smaller creatures as well have developed defense mechanisms that involve toxins so you get sick or you die if you eat them. Algae, bacteria, fungi all make toxins as well. Can destroy predator by targeting the nicotinic receptor. They contain a variety of different poisons in their bulbs. Glycosides interfere with the sodium potassium system in the heart. They can generate problems including cardiac arrythmias and heart failure. Contains a toxin that completely stops protein synthesis inside the cell. There are two sections to the toxin. One section allows it to get into the cell and the other allows it to stop protein synthesis. Discarded computers go into landfills and pollutes the environment. The toxins leech into the soil and ends up in water. Can also become volatile and reach the air.
