* Botulinum toxin: Produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum, botulinum toxin is one of the most potent neurotoxins known. It causes botulism, a paralytic illness that can be fatal if not treated promptly.
* Tetanus toxin: Produced by the bacterium Clostridium tetani, tetanus toxin causes tetanus, a severe and often fatal disease characterized by muscle spasms and rigidity.
* Diphtheria toxin: Produced by the bacterium Corynebacterium diphtheriae, diphtheria toxin damages the cells in the throat and airways, causing a thick, gray membrane to form. Diphtheria can be fatal if not treated promptly.
* Staphylococcal enterotoxins: Produced by several species of Staphylococcus bacteria, staphylococcal enterotoxins cause food poisoning. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.
* Escherichia coli (E. coli) Shiga toxin: Produced by certain strains of E. coli bacteria, Shiga toxin causes a type of food poisoning known as shigellosis. Symptoms include bloody diarrhea, abdominal pain, and fever.
Toxins produced by plants:
* Ricin: Ricin is a highly toxic protein found in the seeds of the castor oil plant. It can be ingested, inhaled, or injected, and can cause severe damage to the cells in the body.
* Abrin: Abrin is a toxic protein found in the seeds of the jequirity bean plant. It is similar to ricin in its toxicity and can cause severe damage to the cells in the body.
* Solanine: Solanine is a glycoalkaloid found in potatoes and other members of the nightshade family. It can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain if consumed in large quantities.
* Aflatoxins: Aflatoxins are mycotoxins produced by certain fungi that grow on crops such as corn, peanuts, and wheat. They can cause liver damage and cancer if consumed in large quantities.
Toxins produced by fungi:
* Amanitin: Amanitin is a deadly toxin found in several species of mushrooms, including the death cap mushroom. It causes severe damage to the liver and kidneys, and can be fatal if not treated promptly.
* Gyromitrin: Gyromitrin is a toxin found in several species of mushrooms, including the false morel mushroom. It can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. In severe cases, it can also cause liver damage and death.
* Ergot alkaloids: Ergot alkaloids are produced by fungi that grow on rye and other grains. They can cause a variety of symptoms, including hallucinations, seizures, and ergotism, a condition characterized by severe pain and tissue necrosis.
Toxins produced by snakes:
* Snake venom: Snake venom is a complex mixture of proteins, enzymes, and other substances that are injected into the victim when a snake bites. The effects of snake venom can vary depending on the species of snake, but can include pain, swelling, tissue necrosis, paralysis, and death.
Toxins produced by insects:
* Bee and wasp venom: Bee and wasp venom is a complex mixture of proteins, enzymes, and other substances that are injected into the victim when the insect stings. The effects of bee and wasp venom can vary depending on the species of insect, but can include pain, swelling, itching, and anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction that can be fatal if not treated promptly.
* Spider venom: Spider venom is a complex mixture of proteins, enzymes, and other substances that are injected into the victim when the spider bites. The effects of spider venom can vary depending on the species of spider, but can include pain, swelling, tissue necrosis, paralysis, and death.
Toxins produced by other living organisms:
* Ciguatera poisoning: Ciguatera poisoning is a type of food poisoning caused by eating fish that have accumulated ciguatoxin, a toxin produced by microscopic algae. Symptoms of ciguatera poisoning can include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, muscle weakness, and neurological problems.
* Scombroid poisoning: Scombroid poisoning is a type of food poisoning caused by eating fish that have accumulated histamine, a compound that is produced by bacteria that grow on fish. Symptoms of scombroid poisoning can include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, headache, and dizziness.
These poisonous substances are all considered to be biological agents, which are any living organism or product derived from a living organism that can cause disease in humans, animals, or plants.