toxin
Living-made harm
A toxin is a poisonous substance produced by living organisms—bacteria, plants, animals, or fungi.
Snake venom contains toxins, as do certain mushrooms and the bacteria that cause botulism.
In casual use, toxin has expanded to mean any harmful substance in the body or environment, whether naturally produced or not: I'm doing a cleanse to flush out toxins.
This looser usage irritates scientists, who distinguish toxins (biologically produced) from synthetic poisons and pollutants.
Toxic metalloid element
- cyanideToxic carbon-nitrogen compound
- ricinToxic castor compound
- strychnineHighly toxic plant alkaloid
- hemlockPoisonous umbellifer or conifer
botulinum · curare · mercury · lead · dioxin · thallium · cadmium · pesticide
Environment-harming agent
- impuritySubstance degrading another's quality
- adulterantImpurity added intentionally
- contaminationIntroduction of impurities
- pollutionEnvironmental harm from waste
effluent · emissions · particulates · heavy metals · industrial waste · sewage · runoff · pesticides
Nucleus-free single-celled organisms
- virusMicroscopic infectious agent
- microbeMicroscopic living organism
- germDisease-causing microorganism
- infectionPathogen invasion causing illness
pathogenic · virulence · bacterium · microorganism · prion · fungal · parasitic · infectious
Serpent fang injury
- antivenomSerum countering toxic bites
- envenomationInjection of animal poison
- cobraHooded venomous serpent
- viperFanged toxic serpent
rattlesnake · black mamba · scorpion · spider · jellyfish · stingray · fangs · venom gland
Substance neutralizing harmful agents
- neutralizeCancel an effect
- cleanseRemove dirt or sin
- purifyRemove unwanted substances
- decontaminateRemove harmful substances
flush · eliminate · filter · chelation · dialysis · charcoal · antivenom · antivenin
Protein targeting foreign substances
- antigenImmune response inducer
- immunoglobulinDefensive blood protein
- immunotherapyDisease treatment via body's defenses
- antiserumAntibody-rich therapeutic fluid
vaccine · immunity · allergic reaction · anaphylaxis · histamine · cytokine · inflammatory · autoimmune
arsenic
Toxic metalloid element
- cyanideToxic carbon-nitrogen compound
- ricinToxic castor compound
- strychnineHighly toxic plant alkaloid
hemlock · botulinum · curare · mercury · lead · dioxin · thallium · cadmium · pesticide · insecticide
pollutant
Environment-harming agent
- impuritySubstance degrading another's quality
- adulterantImpurity added intentionally
- contaminationIntroduction of impurities
pollution · effluent · emissions · particulates · heavy metals · industrial waste · sewage · runoff · pesticides · smog
bacteria
Nucleus-free single-celled organisms
- virusMicroscopic infectious agent
- microbeMicroscopic living organism
- germDisease-causing microorganism
infection · pathogenic · virulence · bacterium · microorganism · prion · fungal · parasitic · infectious · biohazard
snakebite
Serpent fang injury
- antivenomSerum countering toxic bites
- envenomationInjection of animal poison
- cobraHooded venomous serpent
viper · rattlesnake · black mamba · scorpion · spider · jellyfish · stingray · fangs · venom gland · neurotoxic
antidote
Substance neutralizing harmful agents
- neutralizeCancel an effect
- cleanseRemove dirt or sin
- purifyRemove unwanted substances
decontaminate · flush · eliminate · filter · chelation · dialysis · charcoal · antivenom · antivenin · naloxone
antibody
Protein targeting foreign substances
- antigenImmune response inducer
- immunoglobulinDefensive blood protein
- immunotherapyDisease treatment via body's defenses
antiserum · vaccine · immunity · allergic reaction · anaphylaxis · histamine · cytokine · inflammatory · autoimmune · hypersensitivity
- Contaminantspollutants, pollutant, heavy metals, pesticides, carcinogen
- toxinsendotoxin, biotoxins, endotoxins, cytotoxin, hepatotoxin
- bacterial proteinssurface protein, membrane protein
- medicinedoctor, doctors, hospital, medicine, surgery
- weaponsknife, gun, sword, swords, rifle
- animal defensespoison, venom, horns, shells, stinger
toxinantivenin
Serum neutralizing toxic bites
antivenom · antidote · antitoxin · neutralizer · counteragent
toxinnutrient
Life-sustaining substance
nourishment · sustenance · vitamin · nutrition · life force
- toxic wasteDangerous industrial refuse
- toxic relationshipsBonds causing emotional harm
- lead toxicityPoisoning from element 82
- toxic fumesHarmful airborne vapors
- toxic gasHarmful airborne substance
- toxic chemicalsHarmful manufactured substances
toxic, intoxicated, toxins, intoxicating, intoxicate, intoxication, toxicity, detoxify, intoxicant