Final answer:
Endotoxins are poisonous cell components released by dying or breaking apart microbes, such as Gram-negative bacteria. They can cause an excessive inflammatory response in the body, leading to severe symptoms and potential death.
Step-by-step explanation:
Endotoxins are poisonous cell components that are released when the microbe dies or breaks apart, and they include various lipopolysaccharides (LPS) in the cell walls of Gram-negative bacteria. The lipid component of endotoxin, lipid A, is responsible for its toxic properties. Endotoxins can trigger an excessive inflammatory response in the body when present in high concentrations, leading to severe symptoms and even death.