The last is due to a protective stucture, notably a neutralizing mucus. The fourth is similar, mammal nerve cells aren't the right shape to be as badly affected as insects. In the third, there is no cell in a bird that the capsaicin can bind to, but in humans we can easily and painfully sense it in our mouths, noses, eyes and anuses. In large doses humans will suffer damage too but in typical doses our bodies can metabolise the chemicals before this happens. In the first two cases the animals lack enzymes to break down one or more chemicals which then travel to and damage organs (largely the kidneys). Stomach acid (normally) doesn't cause damage to the animal containing that stomach.Fleat treatments don't kill pets if applied properly.Birds can't taste capsaicin (in hot chillis).the metabolism of the thing to be or not be poisoned,.the cellular or molecular structure of the thing to be or not be poisoned,.It depends largely upon the action of the poison. Neurotoxin, haemotoxin, cytotoxin, targets an organ, etc, really, the choice is yours. How the toxic octopus survives is really quite simple on any of the several avenues that you can take. Remember, you don't necessarily have to explain it in depth unless it becomes a major plot point. Hopefully that's enough ideas to get you on the right track. Monitor lizards have potent bacterial cultures on their teeth that are virulent enough to kill mammals within a few minutes, but to which the lizards are immune themselves a similar setup with a creature that spits could be quite effective. Or if its nervous system uses different signalling chemicals than a mammal's do, a poison that stops one might have no effect on the other. If your octopus has copper-based blood, and its toxin affects iron haemoglobin, then it will be unaffected. Birds are immune to ingested cyanide because their digestive and respiratory systems are better segregated from each other. Jellyfish are unaffected by the neurotoxins they carry because they have no nervous system to speak of. Immunity means that the poisonous creature's body either recognizes and breaks down the toxin before it can do any damage, or simply works differently to the point where it has no effect. ![]() A number of toxic compounds are actually activated by stomach acid.) Among animal life, it's not uncommon for injected poisons to be harmless when eaten. ![]() Such creatures keep their stock of toxic chemicals in specific glands or physical structures, separated from the rest of the body by thick membranes. Isolation means that the creature simply doesn't expose itself to the poison. How the creature will survive the poison itself is a slightly more complicated subject, but the basics come down to two methods: Isolation and Immunity. ![]() There are a number of books written specifically to be mystery writers' quick-references to poisons that would help you pick what you are looking for by way of potency and effect. Spitting cobras target the eyes for example, and their venom will cause temporary blindness. And if you don't worry about the details too much, anything that comes into contact with the eyes, nose, or mouth will do, or any abrasion of the skin. Wolfsbane for example has such a potent paralytic agent in its sap that merely picking it can be fatal. Plus there are a lot of things that are already contact poisons. ![]() Virtually any chemical mixed with DMSO will absorb through the skin.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |