AUTOTOXIS Meaning and
Definition
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Autotoxis refers to the process in which an organism releases toxic substances into its own body, leading to harm or detriment. The term is derived from the combination of the prefix "auto," which means self, and the word "toxic," which signifies a substance that can cause harm or poison an organism. Autotoxis can occur in various organisms, including both plants and animals.
In plants, autotoxis typically involves the release of chemical compounds, also known as allelochemicals, into the surrounding soil or atmosphere. These allelochemicals can inhibit the growth and development of neighboring plants, acting as a form of chemical warfare. This inhibitory effect is known as allelopathy, and it allows the autotoxic plant to gain a competitive advantage by limiting the resources available to other plants.
In animals, autotoxis often manifests as the release of self-produced toxins, such as venom, into the organism's own body. This can occur in certain species of snakes, scorpions, or insects, where self-envenomation may serve defensive or reproductive purposes. However, autotoxis can also occur unintentionally, for example, when certain metabolic processes produce toxic byproducts that accumulate in an organism's tissues.
The consequences of autotoxis can vary depending on the organism and the specific substances involved. It can range from causing self-harm and physiological damage to other organisms in the ecosystem. Autotoxis plays a significant role in ecological interactions, influencing competition, predator-prey relationships, and biodiversity.
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A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for AUTOTOXIS
- autotoyis
- autotoxys
- autotoxas
- autotoxms
- autotoxhs
- autotoxi3
- autotoxiq
- autotoxir
- autwotwoxis
- autootooxis
- a utotoxis
- au totoxis
- aut otoxis
- auto toxis
- autot oxis
- autoto xis
- autotox is
- autotoxi s
Etymology of AUTOTOXIS
The word "autotoxis" is derived from the combination of two Greek words: "auto" (αὐτό), meaning "self", and "toxis" (τοξις), meaning "poison". In Greek, "autotoxis" literally translates to "self-poisoning".
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