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tetraodontoxin
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tetraodontoxin

chemical compound
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Quick Summary

Tetrodotoxin is a potent neurotoxin, with the chemical formula C11H17N3O8. It is primarily found in pufferfish and certain other marine species. This toxin works by blocking nerve conduction, specifically by reducing the permeability of nerve fibers to sodium ions.1

Tetraodontoxin is a variant spelling of tetrodotoxin. Ingestion of fish containing this toxin, such as pufferfish, can lead to severe poisoning in humans. Symptoms can appear rapidly and include dizziness, tingling, muscular incoordination, convulsions, and respiratory paralysis, with a high fatality rate.23

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3 Britannica Sources
  1. tetrodotoxin
  2. fish poisoning
  3. tetraodontoxin

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