Question: How do venoms work?

Adam Hargreaves answered on 20 Jun 2017:

Hi Deus Vult,
That’s a really good question!
Venom is made up of a varying number of proteins called toxins, all of which belong to several different protein families. Different families of toxins work in different ways, but generally a venom will either be haemotoxic (targeting the blood system) or neurotoxic (targeting the nervous system).
On the whole, haemotoxic venoms affect the blood clotting system so it is no longer able to clot, and they also degrade the linings of our blood vessels so they become weaker. The end result is uncontrolled internal bleeding, which is not good news.
Neurotoxic venoms on the other hand affect the endings of our nerves called synapses. They bind to these and block the transmission of nerve signals. This results in muscles becoming paralysed because they are no longer receiving the nerve signals which trigger them to contract. In the worst case scenario this includes the diaphragm (the muscle under our ribs which allows us to breathe), leading to suffocation. Again, not good news!
Other different types of toxins can do a whole host of things, such as cause a sharp and sudden blood pressure drop, cause excruciating pain, cause your flesh to rot, and even cause feelings of impending doom!