EXOTOXIN Meaning and
Definition
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Exotoxin is a type of potent toxin produced and secreted by certain species of bacteria, which can cause damage to host tissues and organs even at extremely low concentrations. It is an external toxin released by bacterial cells into their surrounding environment during bacterial growth and metabolism. Exotoxins are chemically diverse proteins with high specificity for target host cells or tissues, and they exert their detrimental effects by interfering with cellular processes.
These toxins are typically synthesized by several pathogenic bacteria, such as Clostridium tetani (causing tetanus), Corynebacterium diphtheriae (causing diphtheria), and Vibrio cholerae (causing cholera), among others. Exotoxins can have various modes of action, including disrupting cell membranes, interfering with protein synthesis, and altering cell signaling pathways. They can cause a wide range of symptoms, from local tissue damage to systemic effects throughout the body.
Exotoxins are generally very heat-sensitive and can be denatured or destroyed by high temperatures. Due to their potency, they can induce strong immune responses in the host, leading to the production of specific antibodies that can neutralize the toxin. This immune response is the basis for certain types of vaccines, where inactivated or attenuated exotoxins are used to stimulate the production of antibodies, providing protection against bacterial infections.
In summary, exotoxins are toxins produced and released by bacteria that can cause damage to host tissues and organs. They have specific modes of action, induce immune responses, and can be inactivated by heat.
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A toxin excreted by a microorganism, and which can be recovered by filtration from a culture without destruction of the producing agent.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for EXOTOXIN
- wxotoxin
- sxotoxin
- dxotoxin
- rxotoxin
- 4xotoxin
- 3xotoxin
- ezotoxin
- ecotoxin
- esotoxin
- exitoxin
- exktoxin
- exltoxin
- exptoxin
- ex0toxin
- ex9toxin
- exoroxin
- exofoxin
- exogoxin
- exoyoxin
Etymology of EXOTOXIN
The word "exotoxin" is composed of two parts: "exo-" and "toxin".
The prefix "exo-" is derived from the Ancient Greek word "exō", meaning "out" or "outside". It is often used to denote something that originates from, is produced outside of, or is external to a specified thing. In the case of "exotoxin", it indicates that the toxin is produced and released outside of the bacterial cell.
The term "toxin" comes from the Latin word "toxicum", which refers to a poison. This Latin word is derived from the Greek word "toxikon", which refers to a poison used on arrows. The Greek term "toxikon" is a neuter noun derived from the Greek word "toxikos", meaning "pertaining to bows or archery", which comes from "toxon", meaning "bow" or "arrow".
Similar spelling word for EXOTOXIN
