Potions and Poisons 2025 PDF

Potions and Poisons Potions and Poisons is a Division B event for the 2025 season. It was previously an event in the 2018 and the 2019 seasons. In Potions and Potions and Poisons Poisons, participants demonstrate their knowledge on specified Type Chemistry substan...

Potions and Poisons Potions and Poisons is a Division B event for the 2025 season. It was previously an event in the 2018 and the 2019 seasons. In Potions and Potions and Poisons Poisons, participants demonstrate their knowledge on specified Type Chemistry substances, and chemical properties and effects with a focus on Category Lab common toxins and poisons. Description This event is about chemical properties and effects of Contents specified toxic and General Information therapeutic chemical Topics covered substances, with a focus on Lab Tasks household and Lab Equipment environmental toxins or poisons. Lab Tasks Event Information Chromatography Mixtures of Reagents Participants 2 Separation of Mixtures Approx. 50 minutes Dilution Time pH determination Allowed Two Class II Calculators Conductivity Resources One notes sheet The Atom Recommended Lab Subatomic Particles Equipment for Division B Shells, Subshells, and Orbitals Chemistry Events Electron Configuration Rotates Yes The Periodic Table Eye Intramolecular bonding C Protection Electronegativity First Ionic Bonding 2018 Appearance Covalent Bonding Latest 2025 Intermolecular Forces and Dipoles Appearance London Dispersion Forum Threads Dipole-Dipole 2025 (h 2019 (h 2018 (h Hydrogen Bonding ttps://s ttps://s ttps://s Mixtures, Solutions, and Compounds/Molecules cioly.or cioly.or cioly.or Mixtures g/forum g/forum g/forum s/viewt s/viewt s/viewt Solutions opic.ph opic.ph opic.ph Compounds/Molecules p?t=28 p?f=28 p?f=26 Types of Changes 693) 4&t=12 4&t=10 136) 871) Physical Changes Chemical Changes Question Marathon Threads 2025 (h 2019 (h 2018 (h 2017 Types of Reactions ttps://s ttps://s ttps://s (Trial) Synthesis and Combustion cioly.or cioly.or cioly.or (https:// Decomposition g/forum g/forum g/forum scioly.o Single Displacement s/viewt s/viewt s/viewt rg/foru  Double Displacement opic.ph opic.ph opic.ph ms/vie p?t=28 p?t=12 p?f=26 wtopic. Chemical Equations 726) 791) 6&t=10 php?f= Balancing Chemical Equations 927) 228&t= Poisonous Plants and Animals 10894) Poison Ivy (Toxicodendron radicans) Division B Results Autumn Skullcap (Galerina marginata) 1st Beckendorff Junior High Henbane (Hyoscyamus niger) School Oak (Quercus spp.) 2nd Solon Middle School Timber Rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus) 3rd Daniel Wright Junior High School Eastern Coral Snake (Micrurus Fulvius) Cotton Mouth Snake (Agkistrodon piscivorus) Black Widow Spider (Latrodectus mactans) Brown Recluse Spider (Locosceles recluse) Past Plants and Animals Common Household Toxins Ammonia Hydrogen peroxide Rubbing Alcohol Bleach Epsom Salts Vinegar Nutritional Supplements Containing Calcium and Iron Environmental Toxins Ferric Iron (Fe 3+) Copper (Cu) Mercury (Hg) Toxic Spills Further Reading General Information The event consists of both a written exam and hands on lab activities, which may be performed by students or run as a demonstration. Exam questions contribute 60% to the final score, while lab exercises and questions are worth 40%. Category C goggles are required as well as a lab coat or apron. Skin must be covered with long sleeves, long pants, and closed-toe shoes. Hair longer than shoulder-length must be tied back. Each student may bring one note sheet and a class II calculator. Teams are Example of category C goggles, which encouraged to bring a set of specific recommended lab equipment. Teams completely cover the eyes and protect that do not bring this equipment may not be able to complete some or all from fumes and are required for the event of the lab activities, though they may still complete the written exam portion. Topics covered Topics for the written exam include:  Ionic/Covalent bonds with relation to conductivity Mixtures, solutions and compounds and separation of the components within them Chemical and physical properties and changes Balancing chemical equations Dilution's effect on toxicity Toxic spills and effects of their spread via water, wind, or gravity Identification of various poisonous organisms along with their toxic effects (listed on the rules) Effects/chemistry of common household toxins and chemicals Lab Tasks Activities for the lab portion of the event include: Chromatography Mixtures of reagents Separation of mixtures Serial dilutions Measuring pH Conductivity testing Lab Equipment For current information, always check soinc.org. Competitors may bring a kit of lab equipment as specified on the Recommended Lab Equipment list for the current season. The 2025 list may be found near the end of the rules manual or on the soinc.org event page (https://www.s oinc.org/potions-and-poisons-b). While not all of the items listed may be needed during the event, it is better to err on the side of caution and be prepared for anything. If equipment is required but a competitor did not bring it to the event, it is unlikely that an event supervisor will be able to provide it. Notable equipment for this event includes Erlenmeyer flasks, graduated cylinders, test tubes, beakers, spot plates, petri dishes, and testing materials such as pH paper and conductivity meters. Some tools for handling chemicals may also be required, such as tweezers, spatulas, and stir rods. Lab Tasks Tasks that students may be asked to perform and may be asked questions about include: Chromatography Chromatography is when a mixture (i.e. markers, pens, organic juices) is separated by passing it through a solution, which will most likely be water. There are many different types of chromatography such as gas or column chromatography, but in the lab task, simple chromatography is the most important. To start, draw a start line and the ink spot on the chromatography paper. The start line should be above or near the water line, ~2-3 cm from the bottom of the paper for accurate results. Then, attach the paper to a stick or lean it against a stick in the beaker. The solution (water) should Chromatography diagram travel up the paper and separate the sample into different colors. After roughly 10-20 minutes depending on the paper, the chromatography should be done and the paper should be taken out to dry. After that, mark the water line's endpoint and where the colors ended. It is important to distinguish the number of colors that are there and use the retention factor for each color. To find the distance, put dots at the highest point of each color and measure it. The retention/retardation factor (RF) is the distance moved by the compound divided by the distance moved by the solute. In other words, divide the distance between the color and the start over the distance the water traveled. Mixtures of Reagents Reagents are basically the starting materials used in chemical reactions. They're used to test if a reaction would occur. This type of lab is rare, but it can occur here and there. These types of labs depend solely on the situation and doesn't have a set procedure like the other labs. On the test, it should describe the exacts about the lab and what to do. Separation of Mixtures This type of lab, like the previous example, depends solely on the situation. These mixtures are reversible, and the most important thing is determining the proper separation method to use. Here is a list of different separation methods: Filtration - separating an insoluble solid from a liquid using a filter Chromatography - identify chemicals (coloring agents) in foods or inks through polarity Evaporation - separating a solution of a solute and a solvent by evaporating the liquid Simple Distillation - separating a liquid from a solution and saving it Fractional distillation - separating a solution of two miscible liquids Magnetism - separating mixtures with one part having magnetic properties Separating funnel - immiscible liquids can be separated using their density. This process uses a funnel-like device Centrifuging - fast spinning machine that can separate solids from liquids Crystallization - separating solids by making them crystallize Sedimentation - separating solids from liquid by letting it settle Precipitation - creating a solid from a solution Sieving - using particle size to separate mixtures by using a sieve Decantation - separating liquids or homogenous mixture by letting one part settle and pouring the liquid out. Leaching - extracting a solid by dissolving it in liquid Winnowing - separating lighter solids from heavier ones use wind. Dilution Dilution is simply the addition of a solvent without adding any solute. This is shown in the equation: C1 × V1 = C2 × V2 where C1 = the initial concentration of the solute V1 = the initial volume of the solution C2 = the final concentration of the solute V2 = the final volume of the solution For example, if a solution has a 10% concentration of salt in one liter of water, adding another liter of water would halve the concentration of the salt, to 5%. This example can be shown mathematically using the above equation, where: C1 = 10% V1 = 1 L C2 = 5% V2 = 2 L 10% × 1L = 5% × 2L 0.1 × 1L = 0.05 × 2L A diagram of serial dilution. The concentration goes down with each dilution. 0.1L = 0.1L For example: when told to make a sample with a 1:1440 dilution factor, take the solution and dilute it by 12, 12, and 10 respectively (12 * 12 * 10 = 1440) to get to that certain dilution. pH determination pH is the potential of hydrogen, which basically is a number that decides how strong of a base or acid a solution is. The range of pH in water is 0-14, however, with other substances, it can go well below 0 or well above 14. In this event, the 1-14 scale will likely be used. 0-6 pH is acidic, 7 is neutral, and 8-14 are bases. To test the pH, litmus or pH paper are typically used. There are many ways of doing this, but the one that's most efficient is just dipping the paper in the water (about 10% of the paper should be submerged) and taking it out to dry on a spot plate. Then, match the color of the paper to the color on the litmus paper box/holder. If the paper just looks wet, it is neutral. Litmus/pH paper does not work with heavily dyed or dark colored liquids. In pH, every number down (relative to water's scale) is 10 times stronger than the previous number. (I.e pH 3 is 10x stronger than pH 4; pH 4 is 100x stronger than pH 6; pH 6 is.01x stronger than pH 4) Conductivity Conductivity tests are performed with a conductivity meter, which can either be bought or made. Cheaper conductivity meters typically use LEDs to indicate the conductivity of a liquid, where a dimmer LED means the liquid is less conductive and a brighter LED means that it is more conductive. While these types of meters are cheaper, they typically require more work as they do not display a number for the conductivity. Electronic conductivity meters are typically more expensive, but display a number as opposed to just turning on a LED. Not all conductivity meters are the same, and it is important to read the manual that comes with it to know how it works. Avoid getting liquids anywhere but the probes, and be sure to wipe off the meter after use. Ionic bonds are conductive, while covalent bonds are not. If a compound has a lot of ionic bonds, it will be more highly conductive than a substance that does not. The Atom Atoms are the particles that make up elements. This means that atoms come together to make everything on Earth, regardless of what it is or where it came from. The particles that make up these atoms (called subatomic particles) determine their properties, such as how reactive they are. Subatomic Particles Atoms are made of three particles: protons, electrons, and neutrons. Protons are found in the center of the atom, known as the nucleus. The number of protons in the nucleus of an atom is the same as its atomic number, and determines what element it is. No two elements will have the same amount of protons, and as a result will not have the same atomic number. Protons are also positively charged and weigh the most out of these three particles. Neutrons are also found in the center of the atom, though they have no electric charge. Their mass is slightly larger than that of a proton, though the mass of each particle is commonly referred to as an atomic mass unit. The atomic mass of an element is found by adding together the amount of protons and neutrons in the nucleus. While the amount of protons determines the identity of an element, the number of protons may change. These variations of an element are known as isotopes, and are identified by their atomic mass. For example - carbon-12 has six protons and six neutrons in its nucleus which gives it an atomic mass of 12. This isotope makes up a majority of elemental carbon found on Earth, but other isotopes such as carbon-13 and carbon-14 also occur naturally. Electrons are the smallest of these three particles, orbiting around the nucleus instead of being a part of it. Electrons are negatively charged, and play a major role in how elements interact. Shells, Subshells, and Orbitals There are a variety of different models that explain how an atom is structured. The Rutherford-Bohr (or simply Bohr) model of the atom is one of the simplest and most common - in it, the atom is depicted as a central nucleus with electrons in layers known as shells at different distances from the nucleus. These shells have different energy levels, with the one closest to the nucleus having the lowest energy level. The first shell only holds two electrons, the second shell holds eight, the third shell holds 18, and so on. A general rule of thumb is that each successive shell can hold 2 ∗ n2 electrons where n is the shell's number. The outermost shell of an atom is known as the valence shell, and its electrons are known as valence electrons. In the Bohr model of a neon atom pictured to the right, all eight electrons in the second shell are valence electrons. Atoms tend to gravitate A Bohr model of a neon atom with towards being very stable, having as many full shells as possible. If an atom labeled subshells. is missing one electron in its outermost (valence) shell, it will be easier for it to bond to an element with one valence electron. Conversely, if an atom only has one valence electron it will be more willing to "give it away" or bond with an atom that needs one more electron to fill its valence shell. While for many elements the outermost shell can hold more than eight electrons, oftentimes elements bond in a way that results in each atom having eight electrons in its outermost shell. This is known as the octet rule. While the Bohr model is useful in explaining the energy levels and reactivity of certain elements, it leaves a lot to be desired when explaining how electrons move around the nucleus. Many electrons do not circle the nucleus at all, instead filling up spaces known as orbitals. Electrons are very small and move very quickly, and as a result it is difficult to determine where an electron is at a given point in time. However, these orbitals are where an electron spends a majority of its time. While the Bohr model simplifies the placement of electrons in space, it can be expanded upon in order to paint a better picture of how electrons move and interact with other particles. Electron shells as described above can be broken down into subshells, which are just sets of one or more orbitals. These subshells are known as s, p, d, and f. Subshells are filled in that order, starting with s and moving up through p. The s subshell holds 2 electrons, the p subshell holds 6, the d subshell holds 10, and the f subshell holds 14 electrons. Electron Configuration The electron configuration of an atom has to do with subshells and orbitals, listing out where the electrons of an atom are likely to be located. For example, the electron configuration of neon is 1s22s22p6. The large number is the shell the electron is located in, the letter is the subshell it is located in, and the superscript describes how many electrons are in the subshell. Looking again at the Bohr model of neon, it has two electrons in the first shell and eight in the second. Because electrons fill the smaller subshells first, this means that the first shell can be written as 1s2. Each shell is filled in the same way. Because the s subshell can hold two electrons and the p subshell can hold six, the second shell can be written as 2s22p6. Putting the two shells together gives the complete electron configuration of neon which is 1s22s22p6. The Periodic Table For additional information about the periodic table, please see Chemistry Lab/Periodicity. Intramolecular bonding A chemical bond is an attraction between two atoms that causes them to bond together, which can create molecules. The two types of bonding that the current version of the Potions and Poisons rules says to know are ionic and covalent bonding. Bonding occurs with electrons, in which the electrons are taken (ionic) or shared between atoms (covalent). Electronegativity Electronegativity is a property of elements that is defined as the tendency of an atom to attract electrons. The difference between two atoms' electronegativities decides the type of bond they make. A chart known as an electronegativity chart can be used to find the electronegativities of different elements. Electronegativity increases from left to right and from bottom to top, therefore helium has the highest while francium has the lowest. Ionic Bonding An electronegativity table Ionic bonding is a type of bonding in which one atom takes an electron from another atom. This type of bonding occurs when the difference in electronegativity is high. A common example of this is the compound NaCl, or table salt. The metal Na (sodium) bonds with the halogen gas Cl (chlorine). When solid, ionic bonds are typically not conductive. However, when liquid, it is conductive. Ionic bonds are typically formed with a crystal lattice structure and have a high melting temperature. They're also water soluble. To name a simple ionic compound, use the name of the regular metal, followed by the name of the nonmetal, with the latter using the ending "-ide". For example, NaCl would be written as sodium chloride. Covalent Bonding Covalent bonding is a type of bonding in which atoms 'share' electrons. This occurs when there is a low difference in electronegativity. Two very common examples are the molecules H2 and O2. Because the bonds are formed between two atoms of the same element, the difference in their electronegativities must be zero. Covalent bonds are liquids and gases, however, they are not Shown is a Venn diagram which demonstrates the conductive. difference between Ionic and Covalent bonds Covalent bonds are formed with a true molecule structure and has a low melting temperature. They are not water soluble (most of the time) and are odorous. Covalent bonds can be nonpolar or polar. In polar covalent bonds, the atoms have different electronegativities, and therefore share electrons unequally. The more electronegative atom has a partial negative charge, while the less electronegative atom has a partial positive charge. In nonpolar covalent bonds, the atoms have similar electronegativities and therefore share the electrons equally. These are denoted with the δ symbol (Greek lowercase delta), using δ- for partial negative charge and δ+ for partial positive charge. To summarize, polar covalent bonds share electrons unequally and therefore have poles. Nonpolar covalent bonds share electrons equally, and therefore do not have poles. Intermolecular Forces and Dipoles Intermolecular forces (IMF) are interactions between atoms or molecules that do not result from electronic bonds. They are comparatively very weak, but still play an important part in all forms of chemistry. The three main forms are London dispersion forces, dipole-dipole forces, and hydrogen bonds. All of these intermolecular forces can be referred to as van der Waals forces. When discussing intermolecular forces, the word dipole appears a lot. A dipole movement is a measurement of the separation of charges on a molecule. This quantity is written as a vector, since it has both direction and magnitude. Permanent dipoles occur due to covalent bonds as a result of electronegativity. These dipole movements are what separate polar and nonpolar molecules. Polar molecules will have positive and negative areas referred to as δ+ and δ−. Instantaneous dipoles occur in all molecules due to the movement of electrons. Since electrons are constantly moving, one part of an electron will always be more negatively charged. These instantaneous dipoles can attract each other, resulting in weak intermolecular forces. London Dispersion London dispersion forces can also be referred to as instantaneous dipole–induced dipole forces, and are exhibited by all molecules. These forces come from interactions between uncharged atoms and molecules, and are the weakest types of intermolecular forces. Dipole-Dipole Also known as Keesom forces, dipole-dipole interactions only occur in polar molecules. These forces occur when the δ+ area of a polar molecule is attracted to the δ− area of another polar molecule. Hydrogen Bonding The strongest of the three types of IMFs, hydrogen bonds occur when a hydrogen atom is attracted to a strongly electronegative atom such as nitrogen, fluorine, or oxygen. Mixtures, Solutions, and Compounds/Molecules Mixtures Mixtures are substances that are made by combining 2 or more mixtures. There are two types, homogenous and heterogenous. Homogenous mixtures are substances that have a uniform mixture throughout the substance. Some examples are lemonade, salt water, and air. Heterogenous mixtures are substances that have inconsistent component ratios throughout the whole. Basically, it's just not mixed very well. Some examples are trail mix, salad, and sand and pebbles. Solutions Solutions are a type of mixture that requires a solute, a solid, and a solvent, a liquid. This type of mixture is often referred to as a homogenous mixture since the mixture is consistent throughout. Compounds/Molecules Compounds are molecules that have two or more different elements that are chemically conjoined together. H2O, CO2, and H2O2 are all types of compounds. O2 and He2 are not. Molecules are just a group of elements that are chemically conjoined. Types of Changes Physical Changes Physical changes affect the appearance of a substance, not the chemical composition. Physical changes could be used to separate components of a mixture into their own individual parts. Examples of physical changes include tearing paper, boiling water, mixing sand and water, and melting an ice cube. Chemical Changes Chemical changes are the altering of a substance to form a new substance with a different chemical equation. Examples include burning a candle, digesting food, and rusting iron. Types of Reactions Synthesis and Combustion A synthesis reaction is one of the simplest chemical reactions, occurring between either pure elements or compounds. Synthesis can also be referred to as combination, so pay attention to the wording on test questions. An example of synthesis is the formation of sodium chloride (table salt) using sodium metal and chlorine gas: 2Na + Cl2 → 2NaCl However, not all synthesis reactions are this simple. While a majority of the time synthesis equations will only have one product, that is not always the case. Take the following equation for photosynthesis. The carbon dioxide and water are forming the more complex glucose, while the oxygen is left over. CO2 + H2O → C6H12O6 + O2 One specific type of synthesis is also known as combustion, and it takes place when a hydrocarbon reacts with oxygen. The product will always be carbon dioxide and water. For example: C6H12 + 9O2 → 6CO2 + 6H2O Decomposition Just as two components can be combined to form a single product, one product can be broken down to form its individual components. This is referred to as decomposition. It will always have one reactant and multiple products. In this example, hydrogen peroxide breaks down to form water and oxygen. 2H2O2 → 2H2O + O2 Single Displacement Single displacement (also known as single replacement) is a type of reaction that occurs between one pure element and one compound. Generically, it can be written as A + BC → AC + B For example, when putting magnesium into hydrochloric acid the following reaction will occur: Mg + 2HCl → MgCl2 + H2 Typically, single displacement occurs when A is more reactive than B, the element it is replacing. However, not all elements can replace each other. In order for a single displacement reaction to work, A and B have to either be different metals or halogens. The one exception to this rule as hydrogen, as seen in the equation above. If A and B are different metals then C must be a cation, or an ion with a positive charge. If they are halogens then C must be an anion, or an ion with a negative charge. Elements will always replace each other in a specific order, known as a reactivity or activity series. An element on the list can replace all elements below it, but not ones above. Activity Series Double Displacement Double displacement (also known as a metathesis reaction or double replacement) is very similar to single displacement, but it occurs between two compounds instead of between one compound and one pure element. Typically these reactions occur in a solution, and either form an insoluble solid known as a precipitate or water. Take the following equation with potassium chloride and silver nitrate: KCl + AgNO3 → AgCl + KNO3 Both of the reactants are aqueous, as well as one of the products (potassium nitrate). However, the silver chloride is a solid. Since the solid formed here is called a precipitate, this type of reaction is known as a precipitation reaction. Another type of double displacement reaction is known as a neutralization or acid-base reaction. Water is typically a product of these reactions, since the goal of a neutralization is to form products that are not acidic or basic. H2SO4 + 2NaOH → Na2SO4 + 2H2O In the previous equation, the acid (H2SO4) reacts with the base (NaOH ) to form water and sodium sulfate. Chemical Equations Chemical reactions are written out as chemical equations. A chemical equation has two parts: reactants and products. The atoms in the reactants are rearranged to form the products. Chemical equations are written left-to-right with the products following the reactants, and an arrow sign (which is read as "yields") pointing from the reactants to the products. Each individual reactant/molecule is represented with a plus sign (+). The following equation is an example of a chemical equation, with the reactants on the left and the product on the right. 2H2 + O2 → 2H2O If there are multiple instances of a molecule, the number of molecules is written as a coefficient. For example, the product in the above equation is water or H₂O. There are two water molecules present, which is written as 2H₂O. Balancing Chemical Equations In a chemical reaction, the quantity of each element cannot change (If there are n atoms of element A in the reactants, there must be n atoms in the product). A chemical equation must have equal quantities of each element on either side of the arrow. As mentioned above, adding coefficients to molecules can show that there are those many molecules present. However, if an equation is given without coefficients, chances are that there is inequality on either side. Consider the example given above; however this time it is without coefficients: H2 + O2 → H2O Counting the number of each element on either side of the equation gives the following amounts: Hydrogen on left: 2 Oxygen on left: 2 Hydrogen on right: 2 Oxygen on right: 1 This cannot be a balanced equation, because the number of atoms is unequal. To fix this issue, it is necessary to balance the chemical equation. To balance a chemical equation, add coefficients to make the number of atoms of each element equal. For example, take again the previous equation: H2 + O2 → H2O Notice that there is only one type of molecule as the product, meaning that it is the only molecule that a coefficient can be added to. A basic way to find the proper coefficient is to find a ratio between the two elements on one side and apply that to the other side. In this example, there are two times as many hydrogens as oxygens. In addition, all coefficients must be whole numbers. Therefore, the lowest coefficients would be a two in front of the hydrogen gas (on the left) and a two in front of the water. This gives us a balanced equation of: 2H2 + O2 → 2H2O An easy way to go about this is to guess and check the distinct elements first. For example: C3H8 + O2 → CO2 + H2O Start with C, as it's only present in two compounds that don't involve O (which is involved in 3). If putting 3 at CO2 doesn't work, double it. When the answer to the blank is 1, it should be left blank. Only fill in an answer if it is greater than one. When the equation is already balanced, just write "balanced". Poisonous Plants and Animals The poisonous plants and animals listed in the 2019 rules are: Poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans) Western Water Hemlock (Cicuta douglasii) Autumn Skullcap (Galerina marginata) Henbane (Hyoscyamus niger) Oak (Quercus sp) Timber Rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus) Eastern Coral Snake (Micrurus Fulvius) Cotton Mouth Snake (Agkistrodon piscivorus) Black Widow Spider (Latrodectus mactans) Brown Recluse Spider (Locosceles recluse) What is included is a general description of the organism, the poisonous effects, and a brief description of the poison itself. However, further research is encouraged. Poison Ivy (Toxicodendron radicans) Poison ivy grows most regions of the US, typically in woods, fields, and along roadsides, especially where vegetation is disturbed. It can be identified by its three thin, pointy, and shiny leaves. The leaf color depends on the season. In the spring, the leaves are reddish; in the summer, green; in the fall, orange to bronze. Upon contact with the oil from poison ivy, an allergic reaction happens. Touching the plant itself is not the only way to contact the oil; touching gardening equipment or pets that have contacted the ivy can also spread the oil. Symptoms of a reaction include itching, redness, swelling, and blisters. It is important to note that the An example of the "three leaf rule" for poison ivy. blisters are NOT contagious. The poison, Urushiol, is an oily mixture of organic compounds with allergenic properties. It can also be found in mango trees, lacquer trees, poison oak, and other Anacardiaceae plants. It gets its name from the Japanese word for the lacquer tree, urushi. The urushiol allows the tree to form a hard lacquer which is used in Asian lacquerware. It's a pale yellow liquid which has a boiling point of 200C. It can easily be removed with soap and water, provided that the skin hasn't absorbed it yet. Western Water Hemlock (Cicuta douglasii) Toxin/Mechanism- The toxin, cicutoxin and oenanthotoxin, are conjugated polyacetylenes. These unsaturated alcohols have a strong carrot-like odor and are noncompetitive antagonists for the gamma-aminocutyric acid (GABA) neural transmitter in the central nervous system. GABA role is to inhibit neuron excitability; essentially it has a relaxing function. Blocking this results in convulsing and grand mal seizures and eventually death can occur.  Symptoms/Conditions - Symptoms of toxicity are most often due to digestion of this plant and consist primarily of seizures, but other features include: nausea, diarrhea, tachycardia, mydriasis (dilation of the eyes), rhabdomyolysis (break down of muscle tissue that releases a protein into the blood), renal failure, coma, and respiratory impairment. Prognosis is dependent on responsive care. Characteristics/Identification- Water hemlock is a meadow flower (up to 1 m high) in the carrot family with a distinctive white flower cluster that grows in an umbrella shape. Side veins lead to notches at the outer margin and it has a thick Western Water Hemlock rootstalk with a number of small chambers that hold the poisonous liquid. The toxin is primarily found in the tubers and green seed heads, but leaves and stems contain cicutoxin in their early growth. Region/Habitat- North America and Europe, found in wet seepage areas of meadows, pastures, and in streams. Autumn Skullcap (Galerina marginata) Toxin - amatoxin γ-amanitin(C39H54N10O13S), β-amanitin(C39H53N9O15S), α-amanitin (C39H54N10O14S) Initial symptoms after ingestion - severe abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea may last for six-nine hours. toxins affect the liver, results in gastrointestinal bleeding, coma, kidney failure, or even death, within seven days of consumption Characteristics - cap - 1.7 to 4 cm. has edges (margins) that are curved in. As the cap grows, it becomes broadly convex and then flattened. Pale to dark over the disc and ochraceous on the margin (when young), but fading to dull tan or darker when dry. Translucent when moist. Gills are typically narrow and crowded together, becomes darker over time. stem - 3 to 6 cm long, 3 to 9 mm thick. Initially solid, becomes hollow from the bottom up as it matures. Ring located on the upper half may be sloughed off and missing in older specimens. Color initially whitish or light brown, but appears darker in mature specimens. Habitat - grow on or near the wood, typically in groups or small clusters, and appear in the summer to autumn. Northern Hemisphere, found in North America, Europe, Japan, Iran, continental Asia, and the Caucasus. also found in Australia. Henbane (Hyoscyamus niger) Toxic parts - leaves, seeds, and roots Toxin - Atropine and scopolamine, found in leaves. Apoatropine and cuscohygrine main alkaloids of the root. The main alkaloid in seeds is hyoscyamine, little hyoscine and little atropine. Toxic to cattle, wild animals, fish, and birds. Pigs are immune. Symptoms/conditions - hallucinations, dilated pupils, restlessness, fast heart, seizure, vomiting, high blood pressure, and ataxia. Initial effects last for 3-4 hours, aftereffects last up to three days. Side-effects - dry mouth, confusion, locomotor, memory loss, and far sight. Overdosages result in delirium, coma, respiratory paralysis, and death Characteristics - An annual or biennial. Grows up to three feet tall. Leaves are lance-shaped to oblong. Hair on bottom margin. Veins are prominent. Seen in June–September, however, the annual form flowers are in July or August and the biennial are in May and June. Flowers are brownish-yellow, purple center and purple veins. Hundreds of tiny black seeds, 1.5 millimeters long, are in egg-shaped fruit. Annual plants are shorter and weaker, produce weaker, later seeds. Produce 25,300 ± 4,004 seeds Habitat- Native to Europe and northern Africa. Distributed nearly all parts of the north hemisphere, Europe, Asia, North America, Brazil. Found on chalky ground and near the sea. Oak (Quercus spp.) Toxic parts - Leaves, green acorns, inner and outer bark Toxins - Tannic acid (tannins), which binds and precipitates proteins. Cattle, sheep, horses and goats are most affected while pigs are immune. Tannins are often present in immature fruit (such as persimmon) and cause them to taste bitter or astringent. Tannins are often sold in the form of a brown powder of varying shades. Symptoms/conditions - Anorexia, depression, constipation, abdominal pain, vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, blood in urine. Signs typically occur around 3-7 days after consumption, with the long-term effects being liver damage and The leaves and fruits of Quercus centrilobular liver necrosis. robur. - While the genus Quercus contains over 600 members, the type Characteristics species is Quercus robur, or the English oak. The English oak is a member of the white oak section (section Quercus) of the Quercus genus, meaning that its leaves have rounded lobes as opposed to the pointed lobes of the red oak section (section Lobatae). White oaks, which are a major food source for wildlife, have sweeter acorns due to less tannin content. Red oaks, on the other hand, have more tannins in their acorns and thus taste more bitter. However, their wood is more dense and good for furniture. Habitat - Native to a majority of the northern hemisphere, with North America containing the largest number of different species. In North America, oaks typically occur on the East side, with the West having 2 native species on the 2022 National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Trees, Oregon White Oak/Garry Oak and California Black Oak. Reproduction - Usually endozoochoric or epizoochoric, with squirrels being the main seed disperser. They exhibit a mutualistic symbiotic relationship, with the squirrels relying on the acorns for a food source and the trees having their seeds dispersed through forgotten buried acorns or animal feces. Timber Rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus) Toxin - There are 4 types of toxin. Type A : A neurotoxin known as canebrake. Type B : A hemorrhagic and proteolytic toxin. Type A + B: Intergrade between snakes with Type A and Type B. Type C : relatively weak Symptoms/conditions - Myokymia, defibrination syndrome, numbness, lightheadedness, weakness, vomiting, blurred vision, sweating, salivating. Can be treated with CroFab Antivenom. Characteristics- Adults are usually between 3 to 6 feet long. Their upper surface is a pattern of dark brown or black crossbands. They can have irregular edges such as zig-zag or V-shaped. Some snakes will be complete black due to melanism. Rigid scales along with a rough-skinned appearance. Has a pit on each side of the face. Life - Active from late April to mid-October. Sheds skin around every 1.4 years. Habitat - Found in the eastern United States from southern Minnesota and New Hampshire and as far south as eastern Texas and northern Florida. While the timber rattlesnake could previously have been found in parts of Canada, it was declared locally extinct in 2001. Eastern Coral Snake (Micrurus Fulvius) Toxin - Phospholipase A2 and three-finger toxins (abbreviated as 3FTx). 3FTx proteins are neurotoxins, attacking nerve tissue. Phospholipase A2 can cause inflammation and pain at the site of the bite, though this is uncommon. Symptoms/conditions - Slurred speech, double vision, muscle paralysis, can lead to cardiac arrest if left untreated Characteristics - Typically between 20 to 30 inches long (50-76 cm). Eastern coral snakes have bands in a black, yellow and red pattern. The yellow bands are The Eastern Coral Snake narrow, separating the wider black and red bands. The tail of the snake is only yellow and black, with no red. These bands surround the entire body as opposed to ending at the belly like on similar looking snakes. The head of an eastern coral snake is blunt, black from the tip to behind the eyes. Their fangs are short and cannot be retracted, so in order to deliver the venom the snake must chew on their prey. Life- Spend a majority of their time underground, eastern coral snakes are nocturnal and often flee from predators. They are active during the spring and fall, and can live up to 7 years in captivity. Habitat - Eastern coral snakes are native to the United States, being found in the southeastern part of the country. Eastern coral snakes can be found as far north as North Carolina, and their habitat extends all the way to the Florida panhandle. They can be found as far west as southern Georgia and some parts of eastern Louisiana. Cotton Mouth Snake (Agkistrodon piscivorus) Toxin - Cotton mouth toxins mainly consist of three protein families: phospholipase A2 (PLA2), metalloproteases (SVMP), and serine proteases (SVSP). PLA2s are responsible for inflammation and pain, while SVMPs are responsible for hemorrhage and SVSPs affect the coagulation of blood. A Cotton Mouth Snake Symptoms/conditions - Low blood pressure, weakness, change in skin color at site of bite, trouble breathing, nausea, increase in heart rate A map of where cotton mouth snakes can be found in the Characteristics - The cotton mouth snake (also known as the water moccasin) is a United States. water snake that typically grow up to 35 inches in length (90 cm). However, some specimens have grown as long as 71 inches, or 180 cm. It is a pit viper, similar to copperheads and rattlesnakes. Cotton mouth snakes have a broad, triangular head with dark stripes near the eyes. Since the head is so broad, these snakes have a distinctive neck as opposed to most snakes which do not. While adult cotton mouth snakes do not have a distinctive pattern, juvenile snakes feature a pattern of dark bands against a lighter color. Juvenile snakes are tan or brown, while their pattern typically fades to solid black, brown, gray or olive color as the snake matures. The snake gets its name from its distinctive white mouth, which it shows off during threat displays. Cotton mouth snakes also have catlike vertical pupils, while other nonvenomous water snakes have round pupils. Life - Cotton mouth snakes live in swamps, marshes, ponds, lakes, and streams. They can also be found basking on stones and logs near the water. They are active both during the day and at night, while they are typically more active at night than they are during the day. In the northern parts of their habitat, these snakes can hibernate during the winter. However, in the southern parts of their habitat they may not hibernate at all. Habitat - Cotton mouth snakes can be found in the southeastern United States. Black Widow Spider (Latrodectus mactans) Toxin - Latrotoxins are the main component of the venom, but other compounds such as polypeptides, adenosine, and guanosine are active as well. Only the bite of the female is dangerous to humans, as their venom glands are very large. Symptoms/conditions - Pain and sweating at the site of the bite, muscle cramps, headache, nausea, vomiting, weakness. Typically only localized pain is felt, but in some cases the pain can spread. Symptoms typically last from 3-7 days after the bite takes place. Characteristics - Like all spiders, black widows have eight legs. Females are solid black with a red hourglass marking found on the abdomen. Males can be purple or similar to juveniles in color, where juveniles have white stripes and red-orange spots. The stripes are on the side of the abdomen, while the spots are in the center similar to the hourglass found on adult females. Adult females are typically 0.31-0.51 inches long (8-13 mm), while adult males are smaller at 0.12-0.24 inches (3-6 mm) long. Life - Black widows live in dark, secluded places such as piles of wood or fallen branches. They can live for 1-3 years. Habitat - Latrodectus mactans is a specific variety of black widow spider, native to the southeastern United States. This spider can be found as far north as Ohio, and as far west as Texas. Brown Recluse Spider (Locosceles recluse) Toxin - Brown recluse venom possesses potentially deadly hemotoxins and cytotoxins that affect the red blood cells and their ability to clot. It is a mixture of enzymes such as collagenase, protease, and phospholipase. Symptoms/conditions - Symptoms include redness, fever, weakness, pain and nausea. In around 10% of victims necrosis can occur at the site of the bite, and in even fewer cases hemolysis (bursting of red blood cells) can occur. Characteristics - Brown recluse spiders are typically around 6 and 20 mm long and brown in color (though some are lighter or darker). These spiders typically have markings on the thorax that resemble a violin, earning it the nickname fiddleback spider or violin spider. While most spiders have eight eyes, recluses such as the brown recluse and black widow have six eyes. Life - Brown recluse spiders frequently live in dry and undisturbed places such as sheds, woodpiles, garages and cellars. They also tend to inhabit rotting tree bark, building irregular and asymmetrical webs. These spiders tend to live for one to two years. Habitat - Brown recluse spiders live in the southeastern United States, trending as far north as southern Iowa and as far west as Nebraska and Texas. Past Plants and Animals Plants and animals that have been included in past years are listed below. 2017-2018 2016-2017 (Trial Rules) Common Household Toxins The 2019 rules of Potions and Poisons mention the following toxic household chemicals: Ammonia Hydrogen peroxide Rubbing alcohol Bleach Epsom salts Vinegar Nutritional supplements containing calcium and iron Ammonia The compound ammonia itself is a colorless gas with the formula NH3. However, it is most commonly seen in households as a cleaner, where the gas is dissolved into water. It is most dangerous when mixed with bleach, which causes the release of toxic fumes, which can cause serious respiratory damage, in addition to potential chemical burns, headaches, nausea, or vomiting. Hydrogen peroxide Hydrogen peroxide is a colorless liquid. Its compound name is H2O2. It is commonly used as a disinfectant, either for surfaces or for wounds. Because the concentration of most hydrogen peroxide used in households (usually in brown bottles) is low, at about 3%, ingestion of small amounts of hydrogen peroxide (diluted) does not usually cause any significant damage, apart from potential stomach irritation. However, ingesting a large quantity can cause more serious stomach irritation and may even cause chemical burns. Furthermore, ingestion of a higher concentration of hydrogen peroxide can cause much more serious symptoms and death in some cases. Rubbing Alcohol Rubbing alcohol (Isopropyl alcohol) is an alcohol with the formula A typical "brown bottle" of hydrogen peroxide C3H8O. It is most often used as a disinfectant. When ingested, it is metabolized into acetone. This can cause dizziness, headaches, vomiting, or even coma. Bleach Bleach is a solution of the chemical compound sodium hypochlorite (NaClO) in water. It is a strong base, with a pH of 12.6. It is most often used as a household cleaner. As mentioned above, mixing bleach with ammonia releases dangerous fumes. Exposure to bleach on its own can cause irritation in the eyes, mouth, skin, and lungs, and can cause burns. Epsom Salts Epsom salts (Magnesium sulfate) are salts with the equation MgSO4. They have many uses, including uses as bath salts, as laxatives, face cleansers, cleaners, and as fertilizer. However, ingesting high levels of these salts can cause magnesium overdose, which can lead to slowed heartbeat, lowered blood pressure, nausea, vomiting, and coma or death in serious cases. Vinegar Vinegar is an extremely common household chemical. It is an acidic liquid, a mixture of acetic acid (CH3COOH) and water. It is used in cooking, cleaning, and medicine. However, concentrations of acetic acid higher than 10% can cause skin damage/corrosion. Nutritional Supplements Containing Calcium and Iron An excess of calcium, known as hypercalcemia, may result from overuse of calcium supplements. Symptoms of hypercalcemia include nausea, thirst, lethargy, and muscle weakness; in severe cases, cardiac arrhythmias and palpitations may occur. Iron supplements are often taken for anemia, but iron poisoning can occur and be potentially fatal, especially in children under 5 years old. The GI tract and stomach become irritated and internal cell reactions may be interrupted due to an excess of iron. Vomiting and nausea are some of the earliest symptoms; if untreated, the liver may develop severe scars and fail. It can be treated through bowel irrigation or chelation therapy. Environmental Toxins Ferric Iron (Fe 3+) Iron poisoning most often occurs when one consumes a large number of iron supplements or pills. Symptoms of iron poisoning are observable around 6 hours after consumption. These symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and dehydration. The main effect of iron poisoning is the corrosion of the intestinal lining. If untreated, it is fatal. Copper (Cu) Copper poisoning usually occurs when one consumes food or beverages with high amounts of copper. Traces of copper could be found in food if copper tools or pans were used during cooking. Poisoning also affects those who breathe in high amounts of copper dust or fumes. Symptoms of copper poisoning include abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting, or yellowing skin and eyes. Mercury (Hg) Mercury poisoning typically occurs as a result of eating fish, dental fillings, or exposure as a result of work. The symptoms vary based on the amount of mercury a person was exposed to, how long they were exposed to it, and the type of mercury they were exposed to. Typical symptoms include weakness, numbness, anxiety, rashes and skin discoloration, poor vision or hearing, and poor coordination. Kidney problems can also emerge as a long term side effect. Tuna is typically of the greatest concern when it comes to mercury concentration, and consumption should be monitored in young children and nursing mothers. The time it takes for symptoms to appear can vary, taking anywhere from weeks to months for symptoms to appear. Once symptoms appear they increase in severity very rapidly, resulting in a coma or even death. Toxic Spills Toxic and chemical spills can seriously damage the environment if left unchecked. Not only do the toxins damage the environment they were originally spilled in, they can spread through natural means and damage other environments. The properties of the chemical spilled also have an effect on how it spreads. Chemicals with a higher viscosity or surface tension will be more resistant to movement, and as a result will not spread as easily. These properties also affect how readily an oil will disperse and break down, which can influence local wildlife and how the spill is cleaned up. Oil may also permeate the environment further through natural processes such as weathering and emulsification. Weathering causes oil to break down and become heavier than water, causing it to be dispersed through a water column or stick to the surface of the water. Evaporation and oxidation also leave behind residues, though with more volatile substances such as gasoline evaporation can remove a significant portion of the oil from the environment. Emulsification results in a mixture of oil and water, lingering in the environment for an extended period of time. This makes the spill much more difficult to clean and can effect the environment for long after the spill takes place. Regardless of the chemical spilled, organisms in the environment will likely be harmed to some extent after a toxic spill. Food resources and habitats are often destroyed as a result of spills, damaging the ecosystem and its food chain. Food chain issues can affect humans as well, altering where food may be sourced. Physiological problems may also arise as a result of contamination, with some animals suffering damage to the nervous system, liver, or lungs. Reproductive problems may also occur as a result of toxins released into the environment. Further Reading Plant pigments: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1tB1gSlES3qCCV_WoruSJgO-Fi_SCXYiljwW1cEHsBb4/edit 2016 National Tournament Trial Events Division B: Hovercraft · Geocaching · Potions and Poisons | Division C: Code Busters · Mystery Design · Remote Sensing Retrieved from "https://scioly.org/wiki/index.php?title=Potions_and_Poisons&oldid=183649"