Venom

Historical and Modern UsesPresented by Erin Hill

Basilisk

Greek Origin Possible distortion

of cobra or asp Giant serpent or

serpentine rooster Immensely

venomous!

Overview

Venomous Creatures Ancient Uses Science Modern Uses

Venomous Creatures

Insects

Wasps Sting is similar to bees’

Not fatal, but painful, swollen bites

Termites Explosive chemical warfare!

Some soldiers can “self-detonate” to take out enemies

Centipedes Females more poisonous than males

Ants Possibly fatal in allergic persons

Ant

BeeTermite

Scolopendra (technically not an insect)

Arachnids

Black Widow Bite is rarely fatal Spider is generally non-aggressive

Brown Recluse Fatal bites are rare

Tarantula Again, rarely fatal

Scorpions 1050 species dangerous to humans

Brown Recluse

Black Widow Scorpion

Tarantula

Marine

Jellyfish Tentacles armed with nematocysts

Lionfish Immediate pain from sharp spines

Stingray Few fatalities

Result from a tail impact to chest area

Cone Shell Highly toxic snails

Cone Shells

Lionfish Stingray

Jellyfish

Amphibians

Poison Arrow/Dart Frogs Famous for vibrant colors and toxicity Gather toxins from digested insects

Salamanders Like frogs, secretes poison through skin NOT a danger to humans

Poison Arrow/Dart Frogs

Reptiles

Gila Monster Bite hard and HANG ON

Rattlesnake Not as highly toxic as cobras

VERY aggressive nature

Coral Snake Follow red-yellow-black color pattern

Sea Snake Closely related to cobras

Coral Snake

RattlesnakeSea Snake

Gila Monster

Mammals

Soricidae Related to moles Poison flows through front teeth during

biting

Platypus One of two oviparous mammals Males possess sharp, poisonous spurs on

their inner hind legs

Platypus

Soricidae

(detail of Platypus spur)

Ancient Uses

Healing and Religion

Ants Were used to treat skin diseases 2000

years ago New Guinea: sutures! Native American: Honeypot Ants Africa: Nile tribes used them to cure

neurological disorders Bury patients in a formicary (ant-farm)

Narcotics

Spanish Fly Actually a type of beetle Popular ingredient in aphrodisiacs

Produces an itching sensation to exposed skin

Weapons

Ants American Tropics: allow Army Ants to “march”

through homes to clear out pests

Sea Cucumbers South Pacific: toxic entrails used to poison fish

Poison Dart Frogs South America: true to their common names, are

still used to coat darts and arrows for hunting and warfare

Science

What’s Inside

Stingers Scorpions, Insects

With insects, stinging mechanism is usually ripped out after one attack

Fangs Snakes, Spiders

Toxin in injected directly into the blood– Often causes no damage externally or when

ingested

Nematocysts Jellyfish

Whip-like stinging cell

Spines/Spurs/Barbs Lionfish, Stingray

Poisoning by contact with sharp surfaces

Other Frogs, Salamanders

External excretion

Cone Shell Stinging radula (tongue)

Snake Skull with Hollow FangsJellyfish with Nematocysts

Sea Scorpion with Poison Spine

How They Work

Most stings/bites from poisonous animals are not life threatening Many animals attack only when there in no other

option

Health is compromised if: Very young or very old Sick, immunodeficient, or severely allergic Amount of toxin ingested/applied Strike contacts chest or face

Dermatonecrotic Causes lesions and burning to exposed

tissues Example: Box Jellyfish

Neurotoxin Cause paralysis or respiratory system,

cardiac system Example: Cone Shell

Must be injected or ingested

Modern Uses

Bees!

Apitherapy Refers to the use of honeybee (O.Apidae)

venom for medicinal purposes Melittin: very potent anti-inflammatory Apamin: enhances nerve transmission Dopamine: neurotransmitter similar to

adrenaline Seratonin: emotion-regulating neurotransmitter

Current Applications Relieve arthritis and asthma Relief from acute conditions like tendonitis and chronic

conditions like back/neck pains Can be used to soften and break down scar tissue

Future Applications Treatment for Multiple Sclerosis

– Prolonged treatment time, but better overall results

In this case, the usual symptoms of reaction (itching, swelling, etc.) are the desired effect

Bee venom is used directly from the source Bees, handled by experienced keepers, are allowed to

sting the patient locally Storing the venom decreases the potency

Poison Arrow Frogs

Batrachotoxin One of the strongest animal toxins

A single drop interferes with nerve impulse transmission Heart may stop functioning

Some frog-eating snakes are immune What makes their system different?

Before the heart stops, it is thrown into hypercontraction

Small amounts could be used as a cardiac stimulant after a heart attack

Sea Cucumber

Holothurin Blocks nerve impulses Many side effects:

Prevents tumor growth Regulates heart rate Improves metabolism Provides glycosides

– Cardiac varieties increase force of heart contractions

Scorpions

Giant Israeli Scorpion Peptide Chlorotoxin can be isolated from

the venom Only attaches to cancerous cells When paired with a chemotheraputic agent

(samporin), makes a drug that targets and attacks only cancerous cells

Snakes

Some venoms can be used in small doses to prevent blood clots

Snake Milking A relatively harmless way to extract

snake’s venom Snake is coaxed to “bite” glass bowl/jar lid

Collected venom is used to make “anti-venom” to treat snake bites

Milking a Snake

Applying Anti-venom to a Bite

(Most) Photos and Information Courtesy of:

“Poisonous Plants and Animals” Team C007974, ThinkQuest 2000.

http://library.thinkquest.org/C007974/