Before we start, I'd like to share a little verse with you.
"The spacious, free life is from God,
It's also protected and safe."
- Psalm 37:39 (MSG)
The significance of this verse, I will share with you later, after you start fearing the world because of this post. (teehee. :p)
So where were we? Ah, yes... TOXINS! (cue the lightning and thunder.) But first! What ARE they?
No, I don't mean Toxin "the band".
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| This band exists? Why haven't I heard of 'em? |
Nor do I mean Toxin "the villain".
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| Looks a lot like Venom from Spider Man, huh? Well, this guy's from the Avengers. |
The toxin I'm referring to actually relates to this next picture, more or less...
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| I hope you're not peeing in your pants now. |
Now definition-wise, toxins are actually poisonous substances produced naturally by a living organism. They can cause different types of diseases if you come in contact with them or absorb them. Here are some of the toxins produced by different plants and animals:
Plant Toxins
1) Phytohaemagglutinin
- this is especially found in legumes (Ex: peas, beans, peanuts, etc.) It can have a lot of effects on the body but the most grave effect it can do is to agglutinate red blood cells. (clumping).
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| The agglutination/clumping of RBCs. |
2) Abrin
- This toxin is found in the Rosemary Pea and works by inhibiting protein synthesis. Without these proteins, the cells will die. This is harmful to the human body because this IS fatal. This may be ingested, injected or even inhaled!
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| This seemingly harmless plant could lead to ... |
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| Death... on a trike. |
3) Colchicine
- this is found in the genus Colchicum (flowering plants. Ex: "Meadow Saffron"). Symptoms start to show 2 to 5 hours after the ingestion of the toxic dose. Symptoms include fever, vomiting, kidney failure, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and a burning in the mouth and throat. Then 24 to 72 hours later, organ failure may occur.
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| One of the symptoms to watch out for. |
And now it's off to...
Animal Toxins
1) Tetrodotoxin
- also known as "Tetrodox", it works by blocking the action potentials/nerve impulses by binding to sodium channels used in the process. A dose of 25 mg. is enough to kill a 75-kg. person. Symptoms would include numbness in the lips and tongue for the first 20 minutes, then leading to headache, diarrhea, vomiting, increasing paralysis, increasing respiratory distress, dyspnea, hypotension, and may even lead to cardiac arrhythmia, mental impairment and convulsions. Death occurs within 4 to 6 hours.
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| Bloat, from Finding Nemo, ain't so cute anymore... |
2) Necrotoxins
- These are toxins capable of "cell death". This is called Necrosis destroys all types of tissues. It travels through the bloodstream and affects mostly the skin and muscle tissue. The Brown Recluse Spider possesses this toxin.
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| Necrosis is nasty. |
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| Brown Recluse spider |
3) Hemotoxins
- These are toxins capable of the destruction of red blood cells, disrupt the clotting of blood and damages tissue. This is frequently found in animals, mostly to the Pit Vipers (Ex: Timber Rattlesnake). Symptoms of a hemotoxin in your body would be nausea, disorientation and a headache for several hours. Death is slower compared to the neurotoxins.
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| Oh, headache. Shoo! I mean, WOOF! |
And there's the gist of some of the world's toxins from plants and animals. I know they're not much, but if I were to write down ALL the toxins in the world... well... would you even have the time to read 'em all? :)
I know this post wasn't very... reassuring or encouraging in any way. In fact, it's somewhat creepy and it makes the world seem like such a scary place. But HERE is where the verse comes in handy!
"The spacious, free life is from God,
It's also protected and safe."
- Psalm 37:39 (MSG)
GOD has assured us a protected and safe life. If we just trust Him enough to lift up our whole life to Him, then we can surely live in a world protected from evil, including these toxins from plants and animals. God is not a god to say this and take it back. No. If He says you will be protected and safe, then there is no reason for you to fear this world which has so many more good things to offer. Live life the way He intended it to be: Not secluded from the world, but to be free and included in the safety and protection of His love.
God bless you all and have a wonderful day :)
(Only by God's grace was I able to find all that I needed for this post.)
Info from:
- Wikipedia
Pictures from:
- http://www.bangonrecords.com/images/Toxin.jpg
-http://www.battleforhealth.com/Battle_for_Health/Agglutination_files/Agglutination-vs-zoom.jpg
- http://www.samruby.com/Series/Toxin/Large/Toxin1.JPG
- https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFnwplGQkZoXFiWxpaR3Lq-E14JP-z7JIjq70CZ_CJVfVjCUBAY4cmQHnmtpn4DXqQlLdNCawI64en3Gr1JL0XZ7rg0SLw15eph0IcuSbfPsprzCS5ufW89wtJTEpKr-RlA-6heYPRyruD/s1600/death_rides_a_pale_trike_by_mjranum_stock.jpg
- http://www.xanthonecorp.com/_images/_ailments/diarrhea_01.jpg
