RSS 2.0 Feed

» Welcome Guest Log In :: Register

Pages: (2) < 1 [2] >   
  Topic: Spider Silk, from the bathroom wall< Next Oldest | Next Newest >  
Renier



Posts: 276
Joined: Jan. 2006

(Permalink) Posted: July 01 2006,09:55   

I read that the 'pede that bit you is a nasty customer. It's venom contains Seretonin. Why would 5-HT be used as a venom?

  
"Rev Dr" Lenny Flank



Posts: 2560
Joined: Feb. 2005

(Permalink) Posted: July 01 2006,11:48   

Seratonin specifically produces pain in vertebrates.

It's there as a defensive component.  Vertebrates are a primary predator on centipedes.  Even really big ones.  ;)

Many scorpions too have components in their venom that aren't effective against their prey but produce pain in vertebrates.  For the same reason.

--------------
Editor, Red and Black Publishers
www.RedandBlackPublishers.com

  
Renier



Posts: 276
Joined: Jan. 2006

(Permalink) Posted: July 01 2006,12:31   

Ok, so it enhances pain. It is however a vital chemical for brain working. We all now about SSRIs and such. Just strange that it is used against, say, humans, as a toxin, and at the same time it is vital to humans (mental well-being). The world can truly be strange.

Quote
Serotonin (5-HT) is released at serotonergic synapses, which are generally inhibitory, it subserves many functions such as mood, eating, sleeping, pain, dreaming and arousal.
From here

Correct me if I am wrong, be it appears as if Serotonin  would enhance pain if interacting with pain receptors, in say, a finger? It's hard to find sources on this.

  
"Rev Dr" Lenny Flank



Posts: 2560
Joined: Feb. 2005

(Permalink) Posted: July 01 2006,14:45   

Quote (Renier @ July 01 2006,17:31)
Correct me if I am wrong, be it appears as if Serotonin  would enhance pain if interacting with pain receptors, in say, a finger? It's hard to find sources on this.

Yep.

Particularly if it's INSIDE that finger.  ;)

IIRC, Gila monsters have seratonin in their venom too.

--------------
Editor, Red and Black Publishers
www.RedandBlackPublishers.com

  
Lou FCD



Posts: 5455
Joined: Jan. 2006

(Permalink) Posted: Oct. 10 2006,12:43   

Hey, while I was on...um.. hiatus from AtBC, I read something about spiders having silk glands in their feet, too!

I lost the reference, anyone else see that?

--------------
“Why do creationists have such a hard time with commas?

Linky“. ~ Steve Story, Legend

   
"Rev Dr" Lenny Flank



Posts: 2560
Joined: Feb. 2005

(Permalink) Posted: Oct. 10 2006,13:47   

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news....lk.html

--------------
Editor, Red and Black Publishers
www.RedandBlackPublishers.com

  
Lou FCD



Posts: 5455
Joined: Jan. 2006

(Permalink) Posted: Oct. 10 2006,20:53   

Thanks, Rev.

--------------
“Why do creationists have such a hard time with commas?

Linky“. ~ Steve Story, Legend

   
  36 replies since June 28 2006,02:10 < Next Oldest | Next Newest >  

Pages: (2) < 1 [2] >   


Track this topic Email this topic Print this topic

[ Read the Board Rules ] | [Useful Links] | [Evolving Designs]