a poison; frequently used to refer specifically to a protein produced by some higher plants, certain animals, and pathogenic bacteria, which is highly toxic for other living organisms
A poisonous substance produced by a living organism (e g , a bacterium, a plant, or an animal) Some toxins can cause diseases, such as botulism and tetanus
A toxin is any poisonous substance produced by bacteria, animals, or plants. Tests showed increased levels of toxin in shellfish. a poisonous substance, especially one that is produced by bacteria and causes a particular disease (toxic + -in ). Any substance poisonous to an organism; often restricted to poisons produced by living organisms. In addition to those from such microorganisms as bacteria (see bacterial diseases), dinoflagellates, and algae, there are toxins in fungi (mycotoxins; see aflatoxin; mushroom poisoning), higher plants (phytotoxins), and animals (zootoxins, or venoms). The plants include nightshade (see nightshade family), poison hemlock, foxglove, mistletoe, and poison ivy. Many plant toxins (e.g., pyrethrins, nicotine, rotenone) apparently protect their producers against certain animals (especially insects) or fungi. Similar defensive secretions in animals may be widely distributed or concentrated in certain tissues, often with some sort of delivery system (e.g., spines, fangs). Animals such as spiders and snakes use venoms to catch prey and often for defense. Many normally edible fishes and shellfishes become poisonous after feeding on toxic plants or algae. See also antidote; food poisoning
A poison, usually a protein, formed by microorganisms Some toxins are given off as waste products of a microorganism, and are called Aexotoxins@ Others are contained within the cells, and are liberated only when the cell dies and disintegrates These are called Aendotoxins@ Toxins produced by Clostridium botulinum are thermolabile, that is, they are fairly easily destroyed by heat