Death cap
Death cap
The Death cap (Amanita phalloides) is a deadly poisonous fungus in the family Amanitaceae. It is commonly found in Europe, but has been introduced to other parts of the world.
Pronunciation
The pronunciation of Death cap is /ˈdɛθ kæp/.
Etymology
The term "Death cap" is a direct translation of the scientific name Amanita phalloides. Amanita is derived from Amanon, a mountain in Cilicia where the Greek physician Galen allegedly first described the fungus. Phalloides means "phallus-shaped", referring to the shape of the young, emerging mushroom.
Description
The Death cap is a large mushroom, with a cap ranging from 5 to 15 cm across. The cap is usually pale olive-green, but can also be yellowish or white. The gills are white, and the stem is white with a greenish tint. The mushroom has a distinctive, unpleasant smell.
Toxicity
The Death cap is one of the most poisonous of all known mushrooms. It contains several toxic compounds, including alpha-amanitin, which is a potent inhibitor of RNA polymerase II, a vital enzyme in the synthesis of messenger RNA, transfer RNA, and small nuclear RNA. Ingestion of a single mushroom can be fatal to an adult human.
Related terms
- Amanita: The genus to which the Death cap belongs.
- Mycology: The branch of biology concerned with the study of fungi.
- Toxicology: The study of the adverse effects of chemical substances on living organisms.
See also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Death cap
- Wikipedia's article - Death cap
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