Introduction to Venomous Mechanisms

This set of flashcards covers key vocabulary terms and definitions related to venom, poisons, and their mechanisms as discussed in the lecture.

Venom

A specialized secretion used by some animals primarily for offense to incapacitate prey.

Poison

A toxic substance that is ingested or absorbed and generally has harmful effects.

Toxin

A toxic substance produced by living cells or organisms (example: snake venom).

Clotting Factor 10

A protein involved in the coagulation cascade that leads to the formation of blood clots.

Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC)

A serious condition where blood clots form throughout the small blood vessels, leading to organ dysfunction.

GLP-1

Glycogen-like peptide 1, a hormone that stimulates insulin release and regulates glucose levels.

LD50

The lethal dose of a substance that kills 50% of a population; a measure of toxicity.

Antivenom

A biological product that counteracts venom, typically derived from the blood of horses immunized against snake venom.

Exogenous Antigen

A foreign substance that enters the body from the environment, triggering an immune response.

Platyhelminthes

A group of animals that may be venomous but do not necessarily have venom delivery systems.