Toxins and Poisons

The neurotransmitter acetylcholine opens a protein channel, stimulating muscle contraction

Acetylcholinesterase stops the signal between a nerve cell and a muscle cell

Cells are supported by a cytoskeleton of protein filaments

Anthrax bacteria build a deadly three-part toxin

Aquaporins create a channel for water molecules to cross through cell membranes

Many bacterial toxins have two parts: one that finds a cell, the other that kills it

Cytochrome p450 detoxifies and solubilizes drugs and poisons by modifying them with oxygen

G proteins receive signals from cellular receptors and deliver them inside the cell

Glutathione transferase tags toxic molecules, making them easy to recognize and remove.

Hemoglobin uses a change in shape to increase the efficiency of oxygen transport

GLP-1 and GIP are hormones that are released soon after you eat a meal

Lead ions poison proteins throughout the body, blocking their normal function.

Phospholipase A2 breaks membrane lipids, forming molecules that contribute to inflammation and pain signaling.

Potassium channels allow potassium ions to pass, but block smaller sodium ions

The structure of ricin reveals how it kills cells and how vaccines can produce immunity against ricin poisoning

RNA polymerase transcribes genetic information from DNA into RNA

Cells continually pump sodium ions out and potassium ions in, powered by ATP

Topoisomerases untangle and reduce the tension of DNA strands in the cell

The neurotransmitter acetylcholine opens a protein channel, stimulating muscle contraction

Acetylcholinesterase stops the signal between a nerve cell and a muscle cell

Cells are supported by a cytoskeleton of protein filaments

Anthrax bacteria build a deadly three-part toxin

Aquaporins create a channel for water molecules to cross through cell membranes

Many bacterial toxins have two parts: one that finds a cell, the other that kills it

Cytochrome p450 detoxifies and solubilizes drugs and poisons by modifying them with oxygen

G proteins receive signals from cellular receptors and deliver them inside the cell

Glutathione transferase tags toxic molecules, making them easy to recognize and remove.

Hemoglobin uses a change in shape to increase the efficiency of oxygen transport

GLP-1 and GIP are hormones that are released soon after you eat a meal

Lead ions poison proteins throughout the body, blocking their normal function.

Phospholipase A2 breaks membrane lipids, forming molecules that contribute to inflammation and pain signaling.

Potassium channels allow potassium ions to pass, but block smaller sodium ions

The structure of ricin reveals how it kills cells and how vaccines can produce immunity against ricin poisoning

RNA polymerase transcribes genetic information from DNA into RNA

Cells continually pump sodium ions out and potassium ions in, powered by ATP

Topoisomerases untangle and reduce the tension of DNA strands in the cell