TY - CHAP M1 - Book, Section TI - Toxic Effects of Plants and Animals A1 - Watkins, John B. A2 - Klaassen, Curtis D. A2 - Watkins, John B. PY - 2021 T2 - Casarett & Doull’s Essentials of Toxicology, 4e AB - KEY POINTSDifferent portions of the plant (root, stem, leaves, seeds) often contain different concentrations of a toxic substance.The age of a plant contributes to variability. Young plants may contain more or less of some constituents than mature plants.Climate and soil influence the synthesis of some toxins.Plants contain substances that may exert toxic effects on skin, lung, cardiovascular system, liver, kidney, bladder, blood, nervous system, bone, and the endocrine and reproductive systems.Contact dermatitis and photosensitivity are common skin reactions with many plants.Gastrointestinal effects range from local irritation to emesis and/or diarrhea.Cardiac glycosides in plants may cause nausea, vomiting, and cardiac arrhythmias in animals and humans.Venomous animals produce poison in a highly developed secretory gland or group of cells and can deliver their toxin during a biting or stinging act.Poisonous animals are those whose tissues, either in part or in their entirety, are toxic. Poisoning usually takes place through ingestion.The bioavailability of a venom is determined by its composition, molecular size, amount or concentration gradient, solubility, degree of ionization, and the rate of blood flow into that tissue as well as the properties of the engulfing surface itself.The distribution of most venom fractions is rather unequal, being affected by protein binding, variations in pH, and membrane permeability, among other factors.A venom may also be metabolized in several or many different tissues.Because of their protein composition, many toxins produce an antibody response, which is essential in producing antisera. SN - PB - McGraw Hill CY - New York, NY Y2 - 2024/03/28 UR - accesspharmacy.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1178016943 ER -