Which spider's venom can lead to priapism in men?

Study for the Science Olympiad Potions and Poisons Test. Explore engaging questions and comprehensive explanations tailored to enhance your understanding. Prepare confidently for the competition!

The Brazilian Wandering Spider's venom is known to contain a potent neurotoxin called Tx3-3, which can disrupt typical neurological function in humans. One particularly notable side effect of this venom is priapism, which is a prolonged and painful erection. This occurs because the neurotoxin can cause an involuntary increase in blood flow to the penis, leading to the condition.

While other spiders have bites that can be painful or cause other health issues, the Brazilian Wandering Spider is specifically recognized in scientific literature for this unique and alarming side effect. This distinguishes it from other spiders listed, such as the Black Widow, Yellow Sac, and Wolf spiders, which do not have documented effects on erectile function in the context of venom effects.

Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy