The Deadliest Toxins on Earth

Where is ricin found?

• In the beans of the castor plant.

• In the venom of certain snakes.

• In the leaves of the tobacco plant.

• In the roots of the cassava plant.

Which organism produces the botulinum toxin?

• A type of fungus.

• A specific bacterium.

• A tropical plant.

• A marine animal.

What does the term "Lethal Dose 50%" (LD50) refer to?

• The dose of a substance that causes 50% of a population to become ill.

• The dose of a substance that kills 50% of a tested population.

• The maximum safe dose of a substance for 50% of people.

• The dose of a substance that is 50% effective as a medicine.

Why should babies under 12 months old not eat honey?

• Honey is too sweet for their developing taste buds.

• Their bodies cannot prevent botulinum spores from becoming active.

• Honey can cause severe allergic reactions in infants.

• It can interfere with their ability to digest other foods.

How does Vitamin B12 help the body recover from cyanide poisoning?

• It neutralizes the cyanide in the bloodstream.

• It helps the body excrete cyanide by pulling it off mitochondria.

• It converts cyanide into a harmless gas.

• It strengthens the immune system to fight the poison.

What is the primary way ricin harms human cells?

• It causes cells to explode.

• It prevents cells from producing essential proteins.

• It makes cells grow uncontrollably.

• It blocks nerve signals to muscles.

How does strychnine affect the human body?

• It causes rapid cell division.

• It blocks the production of red blood cells.

• It prevents nerve signals from controlling muscle movement.

• It damages the digestive system immediately.

Which organs are primarily targeted and damaged by amatoxins found in certain poisonous mushrooms?

• Heart and lungs

• Brain and spinal cord

• Stomach and intestines

• Liver and kidneys