• Question: how do you get the botulinum toxin?

    Asked by to Bethany, Peter on 27 Jun 2014. This question was also asked by .
    • Photo: Peter Elliott

      Peter Elliott answered on 27 Jun 2014:

      The botulinum toxin is produced by a bacteria adeptly named Clostridium botulinum. There are 8 different types of this bacterium and are commonly found in the soil or ill prepared canned foods.

      I think there are actually 4 different types of toxin that can be produced. All of them work by the same method which is to cause paralysis of muscle by preventing the nerves in muscle from working properly. This can obviously have fatal consequences especially if the toxin affects the muscles in your lungs.

      The toxin is actually used is cosmetic surgery to prevent the formation of wrinkles although it has to be carefully administered by a trained professional.

    • Photo: Bethany Dearlove

      Bethany Dearlove answered on 27 Jun 2014:

      Th botulinum toxin is one of the most poisonous biological substances known. It’s produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. It works by blocking signals between the nerves and muscles. Botulinum toxin is most well known due to the Botox injection, a cosmetic treatment that helps smooth out wrinkles in the face by paralyzing facial muscles.

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