poisonous animals review

Question 1

Scorpion toxin

Answer 1

low mol. weight protein.
Neurotoxic that block K, Cl and Na channels.
Impairs depolarization of AP in nerve cells.

Question 2

Scorpion toxin sx

Answer 2

localized pain, swelling, parethesia, tachycardia, HTN.

motor weakness and resp paralysis in children.

Question 3

Spiders: widow spiders

Answer 3

only female is dangerous.
Contains latrotoxin which is presynaptic toxin that depolarizes cell by increasing Ca.
Numbing pain, cramping, rigidity of large muscles.
rarely fatal

Question 4

Spiders: brown recluse

Answer 4

complex venom including phopholipidases, proteases, esterases, collagenases, ribonucleases and dermacerosis factors.
pain, swelling, hemorrhage, blistering, necrosis–fever, nausea, hematuria.
rarely fatal

Question 5

Ticks toxin and disease

Answer 5

toxic saliva and microbacterial organisms

Question 6

Lyme disease

Answer 6

by bacteria on ticks.
Prevents release of NT ACh.
Fever, HA, fatigue and circular rash.
If untreated, can spread to joints, lymph nodes, heart and NS.

Question 7

Centipedes

Answer 7

First pair of legs are modified poison jaws. Venom contains proteinases, esterases, and histamine. Necrosis is rare.

Question 8

Caterpillars

Answer 8

urticating hairs which are attached to poison glands.

Itching and redness.

Question 9

Fire ants

Answer 9

venom contains formic acid and alkaloid.
Burning, swelling, and necrosis–even resp difficulties.
Rarely fatal.

Question 10

Bees

Answer 10

contains phopholipase A, histamine.
If more than 50, resp dysfunction, shock and renal failure.
If more than 100, death.
Allergic reaction may develop.

Question 11

True bugs

Answer 11

venom has protease function (digestive enzyme). Some bugs have no mechanisms to deliver venom and are therefore poisonous.

Question 12

Poison arrow frogs

Answer 12

Batrachotoxin: sodium channel blocker in PNS.
Muscles contract and cannot relax.
Possible death from resp paralysis.

Question 13

Gila monster

Answer 13

venom in saliva, drawn up via capillary action along grooves of teeth when biting.

Question 14

Snakes-crotalids (pitvipers)

Answer 14

rattlesnakes, copperheads, cottonmouth, etc.
Rich in proteolytic activity and thrombin-like enzymes.
Hypotension/shock

Question 15

Snakes-vipirids (true vipers)

Answer 15

puff adder, etc.
Moderate-rich in proteolytic activity and thrombin like-enzymes
Hypotension/shock

Question 16

Snakes-elapids

Answer 16

cobras, coral snakes, etc.
Little or no proteolytic activity, few thrombin-like enzymes.
Neurotoxic (resp arrest).

Question 17

Antivenom

Answer 17

contain antibodies from sheep or horse.

Venom or antivenom can induce anaphylaxis.