Deck 31: Poisonous Plants or Plant Cells and Ingestion or Contact Toxicity

Question 1

Why is the rosary pea's toxicity somewhat related to certain bacterial toxins?

Answer 1

The abrin toxin has two polypeptide chains with an A-B structure. The B chain gains access to the cells with the A chain has a RNA-N-glycosidase that interferes with ribosomal proteins synthesis.

Question 2

Why are soybeans toxic if not heat-processed?

Answer 2

Many beans need at least soaking to remove toxicants. The toxin from soybeans is trypsin inhibitor. As trypsin is a digestive enzyme made by the pancreas, pancreatic hypertrophy and death can result from consuming too many raw soybeans.

Question 3

Why is artificial licorice better for children than naturally-flavored licorice?

Answer 3

The natural licorice contains the triterpenoid glycyrrhizin which inhibits 11°-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase responsible for activating cortisol. This lead a state resembling aldosterone excess, sodium retention and hypertension.

Question 4

What part of plants usually contains drugs of abuse? Give examples and their properties.

Question 5

What would vinca alkaloids have opposite effects to paclitaxel but both interfere with mitosis in cancer cells?