Why is snake venom so important to science and BIG HISTORY?
Venom
Venom has made snakes very important to Science and Big History. Venom defined by dictionary.com is a
poisonous fluid the seeps out of animals such as scorpions or snakes.Venom comes from modified salivary glands. It has to be injected to do any damage. Humans are using venom to further our research in medicine and to help people who are in need.
poisonous fluid the seeps out of animals such as scorpions or snakes.Venom comes from modified salivary glands. It has to be injected to do any damage. Humans are using venom to further our research in medicine and to help people who are in need.
Medicine
Many doctors and scientist go and find different snake venoms. They collect the data and with that produce antivenoms. These antivenoms protect you from venomous snake bites. Antivenom protect further damage from the bodies tissues. It can prevent you from getting sicker Antivenoms are tested on mammals such as horses and sheep to be able to protect them for wild snakes. Even though snake venom is a big part of the medicine it also has many of other uses as well. Venom could be used to help people even though it is harmful. For example, snake venom is used during treatment of breast cancer and for stroke victims.
Chemistry Behind Snake Venom
"Venoms contain many components that have been recognized. They contain proteins, lipids, steroids, aminopolysaccharides, amines, quinines, neurotransmitters, and other compounds, and are capable of causing many effects. Elapid venom is the least complex, while pit vipers have the most complex venoms. Elapid venoms have higher concentrations of esterases, such as acetylcholinesterase, while viper venoms have higher concentrations of endopeptidases. This difference is important because it helps understand why elapid venom exerts effects on the nervous system while viper venom is mainly a somatic toxin" - JR Science. The chart below contains the main enzymes of snake venom.
Snake venom is highly modified saliva containing zootoxins that facilitates the immobilization and digestion of prey, and defends against a threat. It is injected by unique fangs after a bite but some species are also able to spit. Snake venom is a mixture of toxins and different enzymes used for other purposes like increasing the prey's uptake of toxins. There are three distinct types of venom that act on the body differently. Hemotoxic venoms act on the heart and cardiovascular system. Neurotoxic venom acts on the nervous system and brain. Cytotoxic venom has a localized action at the site of the bite.