Enzymes are they all good?
When we think of enzymes, we usually think of globular proteins that catalyze reactions and allow life to move at a relatively normal pace. We think about protease that cause the hydrolysis of the peptide bonds in proteins and is used generally in the cheese making industry so that we can have our pizza or macaroni pie., however there is another use of enzyme and that is in DEATH.
Snakes have a very reputation and people generally don’t like them. I however like and respect them as lethal precision hunters, some are non-venomous like the anaconda; some are skilled at chemical warfare and very venomous. Snake venom is a highly modified saliva that contains many different powerful toxins, each snake have a cocktail of venom catered to their specific requirements. Unlike most other predators, all snakes swallow prey whole, so are especially vulnerable to injury if their prey animals are active. Most snake venoms contain specific proteins that (1) paralyze the prey so that it no longer moves (2) interfere with normal blood clotting mechanisms so that the animal goes into shock and (3) begin the process of digestion by breaking down the tissues of the prey animal. I will look at two snakes, the King Cobra ( the largest venomous snake ) and the Gaboon Viper ( it has the longest fangs of all snakes, approx. 2 inches ).
The king cobra averages at 3 to 4 m (9.8 to 13 ft) in length and typically weighs about 6 kg (13 lb).
The venom of the king cobra consists primarily of neurotoxins, but it also contains cardiotoxic and some other compounds, similar to other venomous creatures, toxic constituents inside the venom are mainly proteins and polypeptides. Neurotoxins affect nerves and cause paralysis and the general shutdown of organs and muscles, they work by blocking the neuromuscular junction.The neuromuscular junction is the microscopic connection between a motor nerve fiber and a muscle fiber, signals are transmitted from nerve to muscle using messengers called, acetylcholine.Neurotoxins in snake venom can block transmission of acetylcholine from nerve to muscle at the side of the nerve ending (pre-synaptic, before the synapse), or affect the activity of the muscle fiber past the synapse (post-synaptic, after the synapse). Most commonly, the postsynaptic method of producing paralysis is an anti-cholinesterase toxin in venom that prevents acetylcholinesterase from degrading the acetylcholine. Most snake venoms contain toxins that cause paralysis by both methods: pre and postsynaptic interference.
Can you spot the Gaboon viper?
SMILE!!!!
Adult Gaboon vipers average 122–152 cm (4 to 5 feet) in length with a maximum of 205 cm and are the largest and heaviest of the viper family. Its venom like alot of vipers is hematoxic and cytotoxic, it acts directly on the tissues that lies in its path. The venom can cause ‘hemolysis’ of red blood cells which can eventually lead to a depletion of red blood cells in the circulation. When there aren’t enough red blood cells, the oxygen carrying capacity of the blood would also deplete and many body organs including the brain, heart, liver and the kidneys will suffer as a result.Some common enzymes in snake venoms increase bleeding by preventing the formation of clots, and others by breaking down established clots. Both of these types of enzymes include metalloproteases. Other toxins increase ‘bleeding time’ by inhibiting the aggregation of platelets. Metalloproteases are protein enzymes the break down protein structures, Matrix metalloproteinases are zinc-dependent endopeptidases that basically degrade the extra-cellular matix and causes the restructuring of protein structures.
it isnt in english but it paints a picture
biochemistry creed 