CHAPTER 26: Toxic Effects of Plants and Animals

Chapter 26. Toxic Effects of Plants and Animals

All of the following statements regarding plant toxicity are true EXCEPT:

a. Genetic variability plays a role in the toxicity of a plant.

b. Plant toxins are most highly concentrated in the leaves.

c. Young plants may have a higher toxin concentration than older plants.

d. The weather can influence the toxicity of plants.

e. Soil composition can alter a plant’s production of toxin.

Contact with which of the following plant species would be LEAST likely to cause an allergic dermatitis?

a. Urtica.

b. Philodendron.

c. Rhus.

d. Dendranthema.

e. Hevea.

Which of the following statements regarding lectin toxicity is FALSE?

a. Lectins have an affinity for N-acetylglucosamine on mammalian neurons.

b. Consumption of lectins can cause severe gastrointestinal disturbances.

c. The fatality rate after ingestion of a fatal dose is very high.

d. Some toxic lectins inhibit protein synthesis.

e. A diet high in some lectins has been linked to reduced weight gain.

Colchicine, found in lily bulbs:

a. causes severe dehydration.

b. is sometimes used as a purgative.

c. causes a severe contact dermatitis.

d. inhibits sphingolipid synthesis.

e. blocks microtubule formation.

Activation of a vanilloid receptor is characteristic of which of the following chemicals?

a. acetylandromedol.

b. capsaicin.

c. colchicine.

d. ergotamine.

e. linamarin.

Which of the following plant species is known to cause cardiac arrhythmias on ingestion?

a. Dieffenbachia.

b. Phytolacca americana.

c. Digitalis purpurea.

d. Pteridium aquilinum.

e. Cicuta maculate.

Which of the following plant toxins does NOT affect the neuromuscular junction?