Warning: Use of undefined constant referer - assumed 'referer' (this will throw an Error in a future version of PHP) in /usr/home/essaywo/public_html/essays on line 102

Warning: Use of undefined constant host - assumed 'host' (this will throw an Error in a future version of PHP) in /usr/home/essaywo/public_html/essays on line 105

Warning: Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at /usr/home/essaywo/public_html/essays:102) in /usr/home/essaywo/public_html/essays on line 106

Warning: Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at /usr/home/essaywo/public_html/essays:102) in /usr/home/essaywo/public_html/essays on line 109
Naturally Occurring Toxins In Plants - Online Papers

Naturally Occurring Toxins In Plants

NATURALLY OCCURRING TOXINS IN PLANTS

Introduction.

Historically, we have learned that everything is toxic; it is only the dose that separates the toxic from the non-toxic. Even water is toxic if a large amount (4–5 litres) is consumed in a relatively short time (2–3 hours). The pathogenesis of water intoxication includes hypernatremia, followed by cerebral oedema, seizures and death.

Like water, too much of a good thing such as the antioxidant vitamin A, can have acute toxic effects leading to hepatotoxicity or chronic high levels can have a pro-oxidant effect. Something as innocent as licorice, when consumed in large amounts may be harmful. For example, Bannister and associates ...

Want to read the rest of this paper?
Join Essayworld today to view this entire essay
and over 50,000 other term papers

and vegetables produce small amounts of natural toxins which are of no concern when the food is consumed as part of a varied diet and eaten in moderation. The reason for the presence of these plant-produced natural toxins is not always known. In some foods, a toxin is present as a naturally occurring pesticide to ward off insect attacks. A toxin may also be formed to protect the plant from spoilage when damaged by weather, handling, UV light or microbes. Moldy or damaged plants, for example, may contain more natural toxicants than uninfected or undamaged plants

Familiar foods can sometimes be unsafe as a result of eating the wrong plant part, improper preparation, inadequate cooking or abnormal eating patterns. Likewise, adventurous eaters who try unfamiliar ethnic foods, or plants collected from the wild, first need to learn how to prepare and cook such foods safely. Unusual eating patterns may also cause harmful effects if natural toxicants in foods are ingested above safe ...

Get instant access to over 50,000 essays.
Write better papers. Get better grades.


Already a member? Login

can cause nausea, vomiting, and headaches, but you have to eat a whole lot of it for this to occur. In super great quantities, they can cause convulsions and unconsciousness so it can be serious.

People with arthritis sometimes avoid these foods because they may aid in inflammatory conditions, but the reports are conflicting on this advice.

Nightshade

Vegetables are actually all fruit! We eat them as vegetables (like in salads, side dishes, and not generally snacking out of hand or in desserts) so we consider them vegetables but they are indeed all fruit! What makes a fruit? It's all in the seeds and germination - fruits have seeds that develop from the " ovaries " of flowers. ...

Succeed in your coursework without stepping into a library.
Get access to a growing library of notes, book reports,
and research papers in 2 minutes or less.


CITE THIS PAGE:

Naturally Occurring Toxins In Plants. (2013, October 24). Retrieved March 28, 2024, from http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Naturally-Occurring-Toxins-In-Plants/103176
"Naturally Occurring Toxins In Plants." Essayworld.com. Essayworld.com, 24 Oct. 2013. Web. 28 Mar. 2024. <http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Naturally-Occurring-Toxins-In-Plants/103176>
"Naturally Occurring Toxins In Plants." Essayworld.com. October 24, 2013. Accessed March 28, 2024. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Naturally-Occurring-Toxins-In-Plants/103176.
"Naturally Occurring Toxins In Plants." Essayworld.com. October 24, 2013. Accessed March 28, 2024. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Naturally-Occurring-Toxins-In-Plants/103176.
JOIN NOW
Join today and get instant access to this and 50,000+ other essays


PAPER DETAILS
Added: 10/24/2013 03:44:36 AM
Submitted By: sam54
Category: Biology
Type: Premium Paper
Words: 2458
Pages: 9

Save | Report

SHARE THIS PAPER

SAVED ESSAYS
Save and find your favorite essays easier

SIMILAR ESSAYS
» Drinking Water Contamination
Copyright | Cancel | Contact Us

Copyright © 2024 Essayworld. All rights reserved