Tetrodotoxin Poisoning by the Pufferfish
TERM PAPER
The Treacherous Effects of Tetrodotoxin Found in Pufferfish
By: Angel Isaac
Professor Odryzynski
General Chemistry 1
6 February 2009
Introduction
“Puffer fish can blink and close their eyes, which is very unusual. There are few fish that can accomplish this” (Alward 1). Puffer fish can inflate themselves into a by taking in massive amounts of water and sometimes air (“Puffer fish” 2). The poison found in puffer fish as well as in blowfish, balloon fish, toads, sunfish, porcupine fish, toadfish, globefish, and swellfish is a tetrodotoxin. It is one of many toxins in nature known to be very poisonous (“Puffer fish Poisoning” 2). Tetrodotoxin is very deadly to humans because it is 1,200 times more poisonous than cyanide. The puffer fish’s tetrodotoxin can kill 30 humans. Yet, there is no known cure or antidote created to fight off puffer fish poisoning (“Pufferfish” 2). The reason why I chose to do a term paper on the effects of tetrodotoxin in puffer fish is because not many people are aware of the dangers of eating puffer fish. Also, I wanted to know if there is a cure for puffer fish poisoning. I have heard from the past that puffer fish and blowfish are poisonous because of their skin and body parts and that eating either one is disastrous. My topic has several biological information, cause and effects of puffer fish poisoning, chemical reactions, and chemical formulas.
Main Body To begin, there is some biological information that should be known about puffer fish. The puffer fish has several different names, such as: fugu, blowfish, globefish, and balloonfish (Alward 1). There are over 120 species of puffer fish around the world. Many are seen in tropical and subtropical ocean waters, while others live in brackish and fresh water regions (Puffer fish 2). Puffer fish are meat eaters (Alward 1). The general name for puffer fish in Japan is fugu. The family name of puffer fish is Tetraodontidae. The class name for the
The Treacherous Effects of Tetrodotoxin Found in Pufferfish
By: Angel Isaac
Professor Odryzynski
General Chemistry 1
6 February 2009
Introduction
“Puffer fish can blink and close their eyes, which is very unusual. There are few fish that can accomplish this” (Alward 1). Puffer fish can inflate themselves into a by taking in massive amounts of water and sometimes air (“Puffer fish” 2). The poison found in puffer fish as well as in blowfish, balloon fish, toads, sunfish, porcupine fish, toadfish, globefish, and swellfish is a tetrodotoxin. It is one of many toxins in nature known to be very poisonous (“Puffer fish Poisoning” 2). Tetrodotoxin is very deadly to humans because it is 1,200 times more poisonous than cyanide. The puffer fish’s tetrodotoxin can kill 30 humans. Yet, there is no known cure or antidote created to fight off puffer fish poisoning (“Pufferfish” 2). The reason why I chose to do a term paper on the effects of tetrodotoxin in puffer fish is because not many people are aware of the dangers of eating puffer fish. Also, I wanted to know if there is a cure for puffer fish poisoning. I have heard from the past that puffer fish and blowfish are poisonous because of their skin and body parts and that eating either one is disastrous. My topic has several biological information, cause and effects of puffer fish poisoning, chemical reactions, and chemical formulas.
Main Body To begin, there is some biological information that should be known about puffer fish. The puffer fish has several different names, such as: fugu, blowfish, globefish, and balloonfish (Alward 1). There are over 120 species of puffer fish around the world. Many are seen in tropical and subtropical ocean waters, while others live in brackish and fresh water regions (Puffer fish 2). Puffer fish are meat eaters (Alward 1). The general name for puffer fish in Japan is fugu. The family name of puffer fish is Tetraodontidae. The class name for the
Cited: “Paralytic Complications of Puffer Fish (Tetrodotoxin) Poisoning.” Sma. 2004. 6 February 2009 “Amanda ' Tetrodotoxin.” Sentinelchem.wikispaces. 2009. 6 February 2009. “Pufferfish.” Animals.nationalgeographic. 1996-2009. 6 February 2009. “Pufferfish Poisoning.” Emedicinehealth. 2009. 6 February 2009. “Tetrodotoxin Poisoning Associated With Eating Puffer Fish Transported from Japan ' California, 1996.” Cfsan.fda