Final answer:
Antivenom is a biological product used to treat venomous bites or stings by neutralizing the venom's effects with antibodies derived from animals that have been immunized against the venom.
Step-by-step explanation:
The definition of antivenom is a biological product used in treatment. Antivenoms are substances that can neutralize the effects of the venom of poisonous animals, like snakes or scorpions. They are created by injecting a non-lethal amount of venom into an animal, such as a horse or sheep, and then harvesting the antibodies formed. Those antibodies are then purified and used as a treatment for venomous bites or stings in humans.
Antivenom helps to treat the symptoms of venomous bites, which may include preventing blood clotting or lowering blood pressure, depending on the active components of the venom. For example, compounds similar to a snake's active toxin are used to lower blood pressure in the medical field, and this approach is derived from the study of how the venom affects prey. In contrast, opioids derived from compounds such as the opium poppy are used as painkillers.