Question

19.1. Distinguish between poisonous organisms and venomous organisms. Give an example of each. 19-4. What kinds of toxins are produced by Aspergillus flavus, Fusarium, Trichoderma, Aspergillus, and Penicillium? Give some examples of these toxins. 19-6. What kind of organism causes “red tide”? What are some of the symptoms of poisoning by “red tide” toxins?

Answer 1

Both Venomous and poisonous animals secret toxic substances to protect themselves or to kill the prey that are very harmful for organism at very small doses .
Poisonous organisms like poisonous frogs secret toxins passively, usually through their skin, when another creature inhales, touches or ingests it get affected. But venomous organisms , such as snakes, deliver their toxins actively into blood of other animals via biting ,stinging or wounding by a fang, stinger, or spine. Examples are included

• Aspergillus Flavus produces aflatoxin.
• Fusarium produces fumosins and trichothecenes toxins.
• Toxins produced by Trichoderma are trichothecenes notably trichodermin.
• Aspergillus and penicillium have many species which produce mycotoxins some of them are Ochratoxin A & patuline

Red tide is caused by certain kind of algae known as dinoflagellates. When their population explodes in the sea and also algal bloom is created that imparts red colour.

Dinoflagellates produce certain kind of toxins which effect the respiratory nervous and digestive system of our body. Symptoms included are nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and stomach cramp, it may cause severe respiratory problems.