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Questions and Answers
What are plant toxins primarily produced as?
What are plant toxins primarily produced as?
Which of the following is NOT a known type of toxin described in the content?
Which of the following is NOT a known type of toxin described in the content?
What characteristic of certain Amanita species makes treatment challenging after ingestion?
What characteristic of certain Amanita species makes treatment challenging after ingestion?
Which alkaloid is associated with the hallucinogenic effects of the fly agaric?
Which alkaloid is associated with the hallucinogenic effects of the fly agaric?
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Which of the following factors does NOT influence the degree of toxicity in plants?
Which of the following factors does NOT influence the degree of toxicity in plants?
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What is the primary effect of neurotoxins on the body?
What is the primary effect of neurotoxins on the body?
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Which class of toxins is NOT associated with the Amanita genus?
Which class of toxins is NOT associated with the Amanita genus?
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Which of the following describes the toxic effects of plant toxins?
Which of the following describes the toxic effects of plant toxins?
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What type of allergic reactions can lycopodium spores cause?
What type of allergic reactions can lycopodium spores cause?
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Which plant is NOT mentioned to cause contact dermatitis through allergens?
Which plant is NOT mentioned to cause contact dermatitis through allergens?
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What constitutes teratogenic substances in higher plants?
What constitutes teratogenic substances in higher plants?
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Which of the following statements about plant poisoning is accurate?
Which of the following statements about plant poisoning is accurate?
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What is a significant characteristic of teratogens in plants?
What is a significant characteristic of teratogens in plants?
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What is a common consequence of mistakenly identifying plants?
What is a common consequence of mistakenly identifying plants?
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Which of the following compounds is associated with the promotion of liver cancer in rats?
Which of the following compounds is associated with the promotion of liver cancer in rats?
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What type of plant group includes common rue and dumb cane regarding allergic reactions?
What type of plant group includes common rue and dumb cane regarding allergic reactions?
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What type of materials can act as allergens, aside from natural sources?
What type of materials can act as allergens, aside from natural sources?
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Which of the following fungi is specifically mentioned in the context of toxic agents?
Which of the following fungi is specifically mentioned in the context of toxic agents?
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What compound is primarily responsible for the hallucinogenic effects of the fungus Amanita muscaria?
What compound is primarily responsible for the hallucinogenic effects of the fungus Amanita muscaria?
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Which of the following psychoactive mushrooms contains the highest proportion of psilocin?
Which of the following psychoactive mushrooms contains the highest proportion of psilocin?
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Which method is NOT used for obtaining charas, a cannabis product?
Which method is NOT used for obtaining charas, a cannabis product?
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What is the main hallucinogenic component of the cactus Lophophora williamsii?
What is the main hallucinogenic component of the cactus Lophophora williamsii?
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Which of the following plants is known for producing auditory hallucinations after consumption?
Which of the following plants is known for producing auditory hallucinations after consumption?
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Which of these conditions is NOT treated with cannabis?
Which of these conditions is NOT treated with cannabis?
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What term describes the hallucinogenic Mexican seeds referred to as 'ololiuqui'?
What term describes the hallucinogenic Mexican seeds referred to as 'ololiuqui'?
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What is NOT a characteristic of the active constituents in hallucinogenic mushrooms?
What is NOT a characteristic of the active constituents in hallucinogenic mushrooms?
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What process leads to allergic reactions in sensitized individuals when they contact allergens?
What process leads to allergic reactions in sensitized individuals when they contact allergens?
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What part of the Indian hemp plant is primarily used to produce hashish?
What part of the Indian hemp plant is primarily used to produce hashish?
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Which of these components is typically found in the psychoactive effects of nutmeg?
Which of these components is typically found in the psychoactive effects of nutmeg?
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What is the source of the alkaloid mescaline?
What is the source of the alkaloid mescaline?
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Which characteristic is NOT a feature of the classification of alkaloids derived from cacti?
Which characteristic is NOT a feature of the classification of alkaloids derived from cacti?
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Study Notes
Non-Medicinal Toxic Plants
- Plant toxins are secondary metabolites with both beneficial and harmful effects on humans and animals. Effects range from mild symptoms (itching, nausea) to severe consequences (psychosis, paralysis).
- Toxins enter the body through inhalation, swallowing, and skin contact.
- Toxicity varies based on plant part, climate, growing conditions (soil, light, warmth, humidity), season, and plant age.
- Toxins are categorized by the organ system they affect (e.g., cardiotoxins, neurotoxins).
1. Hallucinogens
- Many cultures have historically used hallucinogenic plants, often in religious contexts.
- Most known hallucinogens contain alkaloids related to the neurotransmitters noradrenaline and serotonin, with the exception of cannabis.
A. Fungi
- Some poisonous fungi cause hallucinations when ingested. Key genera include Amanita, Psilocybe, and Conocybe.
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Amanita species contain tryptamines (e.g., bufotenine), cyclic peptides (phallotoxins, amatoxins), and isoxazole alkaloids (e.g., ibotenic acid).
- Amanita muscaria (fly agaric), recognizable by its red/orange cap with white flecks, contains isoxazole alkaloids (ibotenic acid, muscimol). It produces initial excitation, followed by muscle spasms, slow pulse, breathing problems, delirium, and coma, but is rarely fatal.
- Hallucinogenic Mexican mushrooms (species of Psilocybe, Conocybe, Stropharia) contain tryptamine derivatives psilocybin and psilocin. Psilocybe cubensis contains the highest concentration of psilocin.
- Lycoperda species (puffballs) produce auditory hallucinations and a state of near-sleep.
- Some Amanita species' toxins have a delayed onset and are hard to treat.
B. Lysergic Acid Derivatives
- Lysergic acid, particularly its diethylamide derivative, is a potent hallucinogen. It's found in ergot alkaloids and can be cultivated in liquid fungal cultures.
Morning Glory Seeds
- Rivea corymbosa and similar plants contain hallucinogens; including Ipomoea tricolor and Argyreia species.
Peyote
- Lophophora williamsii (peyote cactus) contains mescaline and other hallucinogenic alkaloids. This cactus is used by some Mexican indigenous groups. Different groups of alkaloids are present.
Indian Hemp
- Cannabis sativa. Formerly considered a single species, now recognized as multiple species ( sativa, indica, ruderalis).
- Significant varieties influence cannabinoid mixes..
- Used for fiber, seeds (producing drying oil), and different forms of narcotic products (ganja, bhang/hashish, charas). Cannabis effects vary among individuals and plant strains. The main psychoactive component is Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
Nutmeg, Mace, Virola spp.
- Myristicaceae plants like nutmeg (containing myristicin and elemicin) and Virola spp. produce hallucinogenic substances (various tryptamines used in snuffs).
Leguminosae
- Anadenanthera peregrina beans, and Mimosa hostilis root decoctions are used to create snuffs; both contain tryptamines.
2. Natural Allergens
- Plant and animal materials can trigger allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.
- Allergens enter the body by skin contact, through air (pollen, smoke), and via animal hair/coats.
- Allergic reactions result from antigen-antibody reactions and histamine release.
1. Pollens and Spores
- Pollens cause seasonal hay fever and potentially chronic asthma.
- Spores (e.g., Cladosporium herbarum, Sporobolomyces roseus, lycopodium spores) trigger rhinitis and asthma.
A. Rhus spp. (Poison Ivy, Oak, Sumach)
- Contains allergens causing severe skin dermatitis.
B. Sesquiterpene lactones
- Compositae, Lauraceae, Magnoliaceae (plants), and Frullania (liverwort) are common sources.
C. Other Allergens
- Oils from Ruta graveolens (common rue) and Dieffenbachia seguine (dumb cane). Calcium oxalate crystals in the latter can cause irritation. Similar reactions can come from other materials (hair, feathers, dust mites, detergents, dyes, cosmetics).
3. Teratogens in Higher Plants
- Plant substances ingested by pregnant individuals may cause fetal abnormalities.
- Many teratogens affect the embryo more severely during the initial stages of pregnancy.
- This group includes alkaloids, coumarins, lignans, macrolides, nitriles, terpenoids, toxic amino acids, and some unidentified compounds from a variety of plants.
Other Toxic Plants
- Local plants pose poisoning risks, especially to children. Attractive berries and seeds can be mistaken for edible foods. Misidentification of plants, particularly in the Umbelliferae family, can be fatal.
- Poisoning of livestock is common, particularly in grazing areas with uncontrolled weeds.
- Some plants produce hepatotoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids, or compounds containing safrole and other alkenylbenzene derivatives, which can increase liver cancer risk.
- Fungi (mycotoxins) also present significant toxicity. Aspergillus spp. mycotoxins (aflatoxins) involve a fused coumarin and bifuran unit, and often include specific ring structures (B series pentenone, G series lactone).
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Description
Test your knowledge on the various non-medicinal toxic plants and their effects on humans and animals. This quiz covers plant toxins, hallucinogens, and the organ systems they affect. Learn about the historical use of hallucinogenic plants and their toxic fungi counterparts.
