VENOM

VENOM

Venoms cause their biological effects via the toxins that they contain; some venoms are complex mixtures of toxins of differing type.

Neurotoxins

1. Fasciculins

These toxins attack cholinergic neurons (those that use ACh as a transmitter) by destroying acetylcholinesterase (AChE). ACh therefore cannot be broken down and stays in the receptor.

2. Dendrotoxins

Dendrotoxins are a class of presynaptic neurotoxins produced by mamba snakes  (Dendroaspis) that block particular subtypes of voltage-gated potassium channels in neurons, thereby enhancing the release of acetylcholine at neuromuscular junctions. 

3. α-neurotoxins

α-Neurotoxins are a group of neurotoxic snake peptides that come from the venom of snakes in the families Elapidae and Hydrophidae that cause paralysis, respiratory failure, and death.

Cytotoxins

4. Phospholipases

A phospholipase is an enzyme that hydrolyzes phospholipids into fatty acids  and other lipophilic substances.

5. Cardiotoxins

Cardiotoxicity is the occurrence of heart electrophysiology dysfunction or muscle damage. The heart becomes weaker and is not as efficient in pumping and therefore circulating blood.

6. Hemotoxins

haemotoxinsare toxins that destroy red blood cells (that is, cause haemotoxin), disrupt blood clotting, and/or cause organ degeneration and generalized tissue damage.