Final answer:
Biological toxins are substances produced by organisms, such as bacteria, plants, and animals, that can cause serious illness or death. These toxins play a significant role in various diseases, adversely impacting human health and ecosystems, especially in the face of environmental pollution and antibiotic resistance.
Step-by-step explanation:
Toxins of organisms known or suspected to cause serious illness or death belong to division Biological toxins. These are typically substances produced by organisms that disrupt normal cellular processes. In the context of pathogenic organisms, toxins can be a major factor in the diseases they cause. Animals, plants, and microorganisms can produce toxins. Some examples include the botulinum toxin produced by Clostridium botulinum and the toxins released by certain protists. In the medical field, particularly veterinary medicine and zoology, a distinction is made between a poison, a toxin, and a venom. Toxins are specifically poisons that are produced biologically, while venoms are a subset of toxins that are delivered through bites or stings. Numerous human diseases are associated with these biological toxins, ranging from botulism to cholera, and their effects can be potent and sometimes lethal.
Environmental factors such as industrial pollution and the inappropriate disposal of wastes also contribute to the presence of toxins in our surroundings, thereby affecting ecosystems and human health. Compounded by issues like antibiotic resistance and overpopulation, the threat posed by these toxins to human populations, particularly in underdeveloped countries, remains significant.