Bacterial toxin

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Bacterial Toxin

A Bacterial Toxin (/bækˈtɪəriəl ˈtɒksɪn/) is a toxic substance, produced and secreted by certain species of bacteria. Bacterial toxins can be classified into two categories: exotoxins and endotoxins.

Etymology

The term "Bacterial Toxin" is derived from the Greek words "βακτήριον" (baktērion), meaning "small staff", and "τοξικόν" (toxikon), meaning "poison for arrows".

Exotoxins

Exotoxins are potent toxins secreted by bacteria into the surrounding environment. They are typically produced by gram-positive bacteria and can cause damage to the host by destroying cells or disrupting normal cellular metabolism. Examples of diseases caused by exotoxins include tetanus, diphtheria, and botulism.

Endotoxins

Endotoxins are part of the outer membrane of the cell wall of gram-negative bacteria. Unlike exotoxins, they are not secreted but are released only when the bacteria die and the cell wall breaks apart. Endotoxins can cause a variety of symptoms, including fever, changes in white blood cell count, and septic shock.

Related Terms

  • Bacteria: Microscopic single-celled organisms that can be harmful, as in the case of infection, or beneficial, as in the process of fermentation or decomposition.
  • Toxin: A poisonous substance produced within living cells or organisms.
  • Gram-positive bacteria: Bacteria that give a positive result in the Gram stain test.
  • Gram-negative bacteria: Bacteria that do not retain the crystal violet stain used in the Gram staining method of bacterial differentiation.

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