Final answer:
The term for a substance produced by an animal for self-defense and injected into another animal is venom. Venoms are important for self-defense or predation in the animal kingdom and are being researched for their potential medical benefits. Unlike human-made pesticides, venoms are natural toxins utilized by certain species.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term used for a substance produced by an animal for self-defense and injected into another animal is venom. Venoms are specialized toxins that animals such as snakes, spiders, and scorpions use to incapacitate prey or deter predators. These biological chemicals are injected through bites or stings, and their effects can range from mild irritation to death in certain cases. The field of biomedicine has taken a significant interest in venoms due to their potential for therapeutic uses.
For instance, animal venoms and poisons have been the source of much research for their medicinal applications. The FDA has approved drugs derived from animal toxins to treat various diseases such as hypertension and chronic pain. Additionally, a number of drugs based on animal toxins are currently undergoing clinical trials, highlighting the importance of these substances not only in natural ecosystems but also in medical science.
Chemical warfare in the animal kingdom is not limited to venoms. Some animals secrete or acquire chemicals from plants to use as defenses against predators. For example, many plant species produce secondary compounds that are toxic, which animals can use to their advantage to deter predators. Unlike pesticides, which are human-made chemicals to control pests, venoms are naturally occurring biological substances used by certain animals for defense or predation.