The most important toxic elements of animal vemons
A lot of animal venoms is a complex mixture of structurally complicated compounds. Detailed data on the composition of the venoms, the chemical structure of components and their mechanisms of action allow for effective medical treatment in cases of intoxication. The study of toxins form biochemical and biophysical standpoint also allows characterization of receptors in cells and tissues (Ravdin, Darwin, 1979; Bradley et al., 2001; Hille, 2001, Smith et al., 2004). Toxins act in an antagonistic manner with respect to the endogenous physiological controls, thus disturbing the operation of the system, organ or the whole organism. The high specificity of toxin action manifests itself in many cases with the competitive nature of their antagonism towards endogenous compounds (mediators).
