What are the toxic peptides that make up cone snail venom called?
Answer
Conotoxins
The venom injected by cone snails is a sophisticated chemical weapon comprised of hundreds of different toxic peptides collectively known as conotoxins. These substances are highly specialized neurotoxins engineered specifically to rapidly incapacitate prey, such as small fish, or deter potential threats. Their primary mechanism of action involves interfering with neural function by either blocking crucial ion channels or disrupting receptors found on nerve cells, which effectively halts the normal transmission of nerve signals throughout the victim's system. This potent chemical action is what leads to severe systemic effects.
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