What specialized structure does the cone snail use to inject venom?
Answer
Radula
The specialized weapon utilized by the cone snail for defense and prey incapacitation is a modified, harpoon-like tooth known as the radula. This structure acts as an injection mechanism, allowing the snail to rapidly deliver its complex venom cocktail directly into the skin or flesh of a target. This system is remarkably fast, contrasting sharply with the seemingly passive nature of the marine gastropod mollusk when it is resting on substrates like sand or reef. The function of the radula is purely mechanical delivery of the chemical payload.
Related Questions
What specialized structure does the cone snail use to inject venom?What are the toxic peptides that make up cone snail venom called?Which species is grimly referred to as the "cigarette snail" due to its fast-acting venom?What is the required decontamination step immediately following a cone snail envenomation?Why is heat therapy suggested for treating cone snail envenomation?For how long is sustained heat application (hot compress) ideally suggested for a cone snail sting?What system do conotoxins primarily target in the victim's body?What combination of factors heavily determines the survival outcome following a cone snail sting?What is a potential result of a sting from a less potent cone snail species?What difficulty often arises immediately after a cone snail injury affecting prognosis?