It is known to be one of the most poisonous biological substances and is a neurotoxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium Botulinum. Clostridium Botulinum a rod-shaped organism is known to grow best in low oxygen conditions. This bacteria form spores allowing them to stay dormant until it encounters a condition that cannot support its growth. Clostridium Botulinum produces eight antigenically distinguishable exotoxins (A, B, C1, C2, D, E, F, and G). All variations of this microorganism interfere with neural transmission by blocking the release of acetylcholine, the principal neurotransmitter at the neuromuscular junction, thus causing muscle paralysis (Dolly, 1997). Botulinum Toxin is very vital in the management of numerous medical conditions like headaches, hyper salivation, and spastic movement disorders. Botulinum Toxin is also used in cosmetology to correct lines, wrinkles and creases to the face, chin, neck, and chest to dermatological applications like hyperidrosis also known as “ abnormally excessive sweating” Injections with botulinum toxin are most times tolerated and side effects are minimal. A precise knowledge and understanding of the functional anatomy of the mimetic muscles is absolutely necessary to correctly use botulinum toxins in clinical practice (Dolly, 1997).
Botulinum toxin aka the “miracle poison, is one of the most poisonous substances known. (Munchau & Bhatia, 2000) It is a neurotoxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum, an anaerobic, gram-positive, spore forming rod commonly found on plants, in soil, water and animals intestinal tracts. It was Scott (Scott, 1981) who was the first show the effectiveness of botulinum toxin type A in the management of crossed eyes in humans also known as “st...
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...ns with increasing effectiveness and duration of effects will further aid this expanding and interesting field.
Works Cited
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Henderson, D., & Inglesby, T. (2002). Bioterrorism. Chicago: Michael Desposito.
Manchau, A. (2000). Regular Review: Uses of Botulinum Injection in Medicine Today. BMJ, 161-165.
Scott, A. (1981). Botulinum toxin injection of eye muscles to correct strabismus. Trans Am Opthalmol Soc, 734-770.
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In the beginning phases of muscle contraction, a “cocked” motor neuron in the spinal cord is activated to form a neuromuscular junction with each muscle fiber when it begins branching out to each cell. An action potential is passed down the nerve, releasing calcium, which simultaneously stimulates the release of acetylcholine onto the sarcolemma. As long as calcium and ATP are present, the contraction will continue. Acetylcholine then initiates the resting potential’s change under the motor end plate, stimulates the action potential, and passes along both directions on the surface of the muscle fiber. Sodium ions rush into the cell through the open channels to depolarize the sarcolemma. The depolarization spreads. The potassium channels open while the sodium channels close off, which repolarizes the entire cell. The action potential is dispersed throughout the cell through the transverse tubule, causing the sarcoplasmic reticulum to release
Poisoning was a big problem in the 1920s of America. “The Poisoner's Handbook” tells a fascinating tale about the early men of toxicology, Charles Norris and Alexander Gettler, in criminal investigations and public health. Produced and directed by Rob Rapley, the film, "The Poisoner's Handbook," shows many poisoning stories together which tells a mix of mysterious and heartbreaking deaths. This is evident that humans will use accessible items, including everyday household products, to kill each other. The film integrates the birth of forensic science with the rise of big businesses and local politics. Many murderers roamed free until enough political will was assembled to implement a new medical examiner system in the 1920s.
A toxin, produced by an animal, can be a toxicant to humans, but it can also provide some favorable uses as well. Present one such example.
As stated in Chan-Tack and Bartlett’s article Botulism, “The incidence of foodborne botulism is approximately 24 cases per year. The incidence of wound botulism is 3 cases per year. The incidence of infant botulism is 71 cases per year, with a mean age of 3 months.” (2010). In addition, in merely fifteen percent of the Clostridium botulinium outbreaks are the toxin type undetermined. The first case descriptions of botulism were reported by Dr. Justinus Kerner, a German physician, in 1822. He had conducted experiments on himself and laboratory animals, which gave him this case findings (Taillac, & Kim, 2010).
JIU-CONG, Z., LI, S.,& QING-HE, N. (2010). Botulism, where are we now?. Clinical Toxicology (15563650), 48(9), 867-879. doi: 103109/15563650.2010.535003
Yesalis, C.E. Anabolic Steroids in Sport and Exercise. (2nd Ed.) 2000. Human Kinetics, United States.
Marieb, E. N., (2006). Essentials of human anatomy and physiology. San Francisco, CA: Benjamin Cummings.
The Bt pesticide stands for Bacillus Thuringiensis. Scientists transferred the Bt gene into the corn to create a crop that produces its own pesticides. As the corn matures, it grows stronger poison, and as insects such as the corn borer eat fatal amounts, the Bt corn destroys the intestines (Burnham).... ... middle of paper ...
Glazer, G., K. A. Myers, and E. R. Davies. "Ergot poisoning." Postgraduate medical journal 42.491 (1966): 562-568.Google Scholar. Web. 26 Feb 2014.
Introduction: This report is to discuss an experiment to assess the sensory and motor functions of the facial nerve in humans. The facial nerve is one of twelve cranial nerves that innervates the head and neck. These nerves serve a variety of functions, both sensory and motor, and are responsible for moving the muscles in the face, head and neck, and receiving information the brain can interpret into all five sense. Appendix A outlines each cranial nerve, it’s sensory and/or motor function, and the foramen in the bones of the skull it passes through.
Ever since ancient times , poisons have been used for many purposes across the extent of human existence. Throughout its history , poisons/venoms were first used by ancient tribes & civilizations as a hunting tool to ensure a quick death of their prey. As the years progress , venoms were commonly used in fictional films , initially starting out in the United States. Venoms are poisonous substances that come from venomous creatures such as snakes & spiders. Most of the times, when venoms/poisons are used in movies , it is categorized as Sci - Fi. The reason being is because usually the toxins being used are fictional and whom the toxin used by , the toxin turns them (character) into a supernatural character with supernatural abilities. If this is not the case , then the toxin does what it’s suppose to do , which is to poison the victim and kills he/she.
Neurotoxins prevent or stop the function of neurons. Neurons are found amongst the brain, spinal cord and the nervous system, which expands through the rest of the body. The function of neuron cells is very vital to the body as their main job is to process and spread information. Thought the presentations we learned that neurotoxins could cause different effects ranging from non-harmful to deadly. During the presentations we also discussed how the communications of neurons were each group were given one topic such as: action potential, membrane potential, summation, propagation and how different neurotoxins were affected.
could be modified or expanded upon given what has been learned about the brain through
A nerve agent is made up of a group of chemicals which are highly toxic and they are called “organophosphates”. These organophosphates are very poisonous in terms of how it affects the nervous system (FM 4-02.285, 2007). They interrupt the body’s normal functions which just so happens to be something that is crucial to a human’s survival. It affects the nervous system by controlling the body functions by using chemicals that act as instructions to nerves, the glands and the muscles. Exposure to nerve agents is definitely something that would get in the way of how the nervous system actually works and would prevent it from working properly. Nerve agents first came into existence because researchers were on a hunt to find insecticides, but due to the very high levels of toxicity, they ended up being looked at for mil...
So, what is Botox? Botox is the market name for type A botulinum toxin which is a purified form of the toxin produced by the bacteria, clostridium botulinum. This bacteria is commonly associated with food poisoning and is lethal in large doses. The botulism toxin could paralyze vital muscles needed for breathing. Although related to botulism food poisoning, the amounts of Botox given are so minimal and localized, that the toxin will not spread to any other muscles in the body, thus making it a safe and harmless procedure. When used cosmetically, tiny amo...