What is the chemical formula of spider venom?

Basic Chemistry

What is the name of the toxin that the black widow spider produces?

α-latrotoxin
The venom of the black widow spider contains a toxin called α-latrotoxin. This is a large protein (120 kDa) that triggers synaptic vesicle exocytosis from presynaptic nerve terminals in the absence of action potential activity (Sudhof, 2001).

What kind of toxin is black widow venom?

latrotoxins
The most powerful neurotoxins present in black widow venom are called latrotoxins, which take their name from the group of widow spiders known as Latrodectus. The most toxic of these latrotoxins is alpha-latrotoxin that hijacks the poor victim’s own nervous system.

What chemicals make up spider venom?

Spider venom components are typically divided into four groups. (1) Small molecular mass compounds (SMMSs), (2) antimicrobial peptides (only a few spider families), (3) peptide neurotoxins, and (4) proteins and enzymes.

How does Alpha Latrotoxin work?

α-Latrotoxin is a presynaptic neurotoxin isolated from the venom of the black widow spider Latrodectus tredecimguttatus. It exerts toxic effects in the vertebrate central nervous system by depolarizing neurons, by increasing [Ca2+]i and by stimulating uncontrolled exocytosis of neurotransmitters from nerve terminals.

What does Alpha-Latrotoxin do?

Is brown recluse venom a neurotoxin?

Spiders like the southern black widow, the brown recluse, the brown widow and even the common house spider can inflict medically significant bites to humans. Neurotoxic venom is produced by all five widow spider species in the United States, including the southern black widow and the brown widow.

What does alpha-latrotoxin do?

What is Spider venom called?

Most spider species produce a type of venom known as “neurotoxic venom.” Neurotoxic venom attacks the nervous system, causing pronounced and highly unpleasant systemic symptoms. Neurotoxic venom is produced by all five widow spider species in the United States, including the southern black widow and the brown widow.

Are black widow spiders and brown recluse spiders the same?

Black Widow Spider vs. Brown Recluse Spider. In the U.S., most spiders you will find are harmless, but the black widow spider and the brown recluse spider are exceptions. Both types of spiders are more common in the southern U.S. and in warm, dry climates.

Are brown recluse spiders poisonous to humans?

Spider with venomous bite native to US. The brown recluse, Loxosceles reclusa, Sicariidae (formerly placed in a family “Loxoscelidae”) is a recluse spider with a necrotic venom. Similar to other recluse spider bites, their bite sometimes requires medical attention.

Are black widow spiders poisonous to humans?

Black widow spiders (Latrodectus mactans) may be black or brown with a leg span of approximately one to two inches. Black widow spiders are located throughout the United States. Black widow toxin causes nerve cell dysfunction and muscle cell twitching.

What does a Black Widow Spider look like with one leg?

Black widow spider. Note the characteristic hourglass abdominal markings. Brown recluse spiders (Loxosceles recluse) are tan to dark brown with a leg span of approximately 1 inch. Black widow spiders (Latrodectus mactans) may be black or brown with a leg span of approximately one to two inches.