11 Questions
What is tetrodotoxin and why is it well-known?
Tetrodotoxin is one of the most toxic biologically produced compounds known to mankind. It is well-known for being produced by tetraodontidae, a family of fish known to include pufferfish and blowfish.
Which family of fish is known to produce tetrodotoxin?
Tetraodontidae is the family of fish known to produce tetrodotoxin.
What is the LD50 of tetrodotoxin via injection in mice?
The LD50 of tetrodotoxin via injection in mice is 10.7 µg/kg.
How is tetrodotoxin utilized by species such as Takifubu rubripes?
Species such as Takifubu rubripes utilize tetrodotoxin as a self-defense mechanism.
What has been discovered about the production of tetrodotoxin in toxic species when grown in non-toxic laboratory settings?
Toxic species that have previously been thought to be prime producers of tetrodotoxin have been shown to become significantly less toxic when grown in non-toxic laboratory settings, indicating that production of tetrodotoxin might not be a biological process endogenous to this group.
By
Richard Dennis Tetrodotoxin, one of the most toxic biologically produced compounds known to mankind, is well-known for being produced by tetraodontidae, a family of fish known to include pufferfish and blowfish. The toxin is highly effective, presenting an LD50 of 10.7 µg/kg via injection and 532 µg/kg via ingestion in mice, and species such as Takifubu rubripes utilize the toxin actively as a self-defense mechanism. The toxin is frequently described as “over a thousand times more toxic than cyanide” as a descriptor of its toxicity. However, toxic species such as these which have previously been thought to be prime producers of tetrodotoxin have been shown to become significantly less toxic when grown in non-toxic laboratory settings, indicating that production of tetrodotoxin might not be a biological process endogenous to this group. Many strains of bacteria have been isolated from a number of species known to produce tetrodotoxin which themselves produce tetrodotoxin, indicatin.
Tetrodotoxin is produced by the family
tetraodontidae of fish: pufferfish and blowfish
The LD50 of tetrodotoxin via ingestion in mice is
532 µg/kg
The production of tetrodotoxin might not be a biological process endogenous to this group of
toxic species
Many strains of
bacteria have been isolated from species known to produce tetrodotoxin
Tetrodotoxin is described as being “______”
over a thousand times more toxic than cyanide
Test your knowledge about Tetrodotoxin and its deadly effects on the animal kingdom. Learn about the family of fish that produce this toxin and how it is used as a defense mechanism. Challenge yourself with questions about its potency and the species that actively utilize it.
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