Organic Poisons and Toxins

Flashcards covering key terms and poisons from the lecture on organic poisons and toxins.

Atropine

A toxic alkaloid derived from Atropa belladonna, causes hallucinations, seizures, and respiratory failure.

Coniine

A toxin found in Hemlock (Conium maculatum), causes paralysis and respiratory failure.

Cicutoxin

A potent neurotoxin contained in Water Hemlock (Circuta spp), causes convulsions and death.

Tropane alkaloids

Compounds found in Datura (Datura stramonium), causes hallucinations, delirium, and respiratory failure.

Oleandrin

A toxin present in Oleander (Nerium oleander), causes arrhythmias, vomiting, and death.

Digoxin

A toxic compound in Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea), leads to heart failure.

Convallatoxin

A toxin from Lily of the Valley (Convallaria majalis), can cause bradycardia and death.

Ricin

A very potent toxin from Castor Bean (Ricinus communis), causes severe organ failure and death.

Abrin

A highly toxic compound from Rosary Pea (Abrus precatorius), more toxic than ricin.

Amygdalin

Found in seeds of Cherry, Peach, and Apricot (Prunus spp.), releases cyanide when metabolized.

Calcium Oxalate Crystals

Found in Dumb Cane (Dieffenbachia spp), causes severe mouth pain, swelling, and asphyxiation.

Amatoxins

Toxins in Death Cap (Amanita phalloides), leading to liver failure and death.

Alpha-amanitin

A potent toxin found in Destroying Angel (Amanita virosa), causes fatal liver and kidney failure.

Gyromitrin

A toxin present in False Morels (Gyromitra spp.), metabolized to monomethylhydrazine.

Cereberin

Toxin from Suicide Tree (Cerbera odollam), can lead to cardiac arrest and death.

Linamarin

Found in Cassava (Manihot esculenta), converted to cyanide, especially in bitter or improperly cooked varieties.

Sarin Gas

A chemical warfare agent causing paralysis, respiratory failure, and convulsions.

VX Nerve Agent

An extremely potent nerve agent causing death within minutes due to respiratory failure.

Novichok Agents

More potent than VX and Sarin, leads to neurological damage and death.

Methyl Parathion

An insecticide that can cause respiratory failure, seizures, and muscle paralysis.

Cyanide Compounds

Prevent cells from using oxygen, leading to asphyxiation, with uses in industrial applications.

Zyklon B

Used in mass killings during WWII, effects similar to hydrogen cyanide.

Carbon Monoxide

A gas that binds to hemoglobin, causing suffocation; found in car exhaust.

Formaldehyde

A carcinogenic industrial chemical causing respiratory damage.

Ethylene Glycol

Found in antifreeze, can cause kidney failure and metabolic acidosis.

Methanol

A flammable solvent that can cause blindness and death if ingested.

Phosgene

A chemical warfare agent causing lung damage and suffocation.

Fentanyl

A potent painkiller with a high risk of respiratory failure and overdose.

Botulinum Toxin

The most toxic biological substance known, causing paralysis and respiratory failure.

Ricin

A deadly plant toxin that inhibits protein synthesis, leading to cell death and organ failure.

Polonium-210

A highly radioactive element causing radiation poisoning.

Cyanide

Toxin that causes sudden cardiac arrest and rapid death.

VX Nerve Agent

A potent nerve agent that blocks neurotransmitter breakdown.

Novichok Agents

Advanced nerve agents designed for undetectability.

Tetrodotoxin

A potent neurotoxin blocking sodium channels, leading to paralysis.

Aconitine

Toxin causing rapid cardiac toxicity from Aconitum plants.

Strychnine

A toxin causing extreme muscle spasms and asphyxiation.

Thallium

Known as a 'poisoner's poison', interferes with potassium metabolism.