palytoxin
Science Dictionary
palytoxin  (pāl'ə-tŏk'sĭn) Pronunciation Key
An extremely powerful toxin occurring in corals of the genus Palythoa of the South Pacific. Palytoxin disrupts the flow of ions across cell membranes and is the most potent known naturally occurring poison, being rapidly fatal to humans in doses of 4 micrograms. One of the most complex known nonprotein substances, it has more contiguous carbon atoms (115) than any other naturally occurring molecule. Chemical formula: C129H223N3O54. |
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Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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Palytoxin
is always a great word to know.
So is zedonk. Does it mean:
| an extraordinary or unusual thing, person, or event; an exceptional example or instance. |
| the offspring of a zebra and a donkey. |
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