Path followed:
1. Are there any external resources used?
Answer: No
2. Can the component maintain the same role in the mechanism/system once it is fixed?
Answer: Yes
3. Is there a foreign material in the mechanism/system?
Answer: Yes
4. Can the foreign material be removed?
Answer: No
16) Great barracuda, Sphyraena barracuda
Great barracuda fish can be found in the tropical and subtropical waters surrounding the equator (Bester, Cathleen). These creatures are carnivores that like to feed on tunas and groupers. The fish that the great barracuda eats is likely to eat algae and potentially benthic dinoflagellates which produce ciguatoxins
(Friedman, Melissa A., Lora E. Fleming, Merceds Fernandez, Paul Bienfang, Kathleen Schrank, Robert Dickey, Marie-Yasmine Bottein, Lorraine Backer, Ram Ayyar, Richard Weisman, Sharon Watkins, Ray Granade, and Andrew Reich.). The tunas and groupers are not affected by the toxin but are able to store it in their tissues to use as a preventive measure. Once the great barracuda eats the fish that toxin is transferred into its muscles but the barracuda is not affected by the ciguatoxin as well. If the barracuda was to get caught and eaten by a human then they could get ciguatera fish poisoning (CFP). Once ingested the ciguatoxin acts on the sodium ion channels in cell membranes which induce membrane depolarization in nerve cells and muscles (Winter, F. David, Jr.). This interruption in the sodium ion channel can cause the heart, brain, and other organs to act differently because they are not getting the correct induction. Interruption in nerve signals can create paralysis, hypotension or bradycardia (Winter, F. David, Jr.). The innate and acquired immune system will then start to combat the toxin which can lead to diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. Ciguatera toxin cannot be destroyed on its own and so medical treatment is advised.
Bester, Cathleen. “Great Barracuda.” FLMNH Ichthyology Department: Great Barracuda. Florida Museum of Natural History, 2014. Web. Retrieved April 12, 2015, from
http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/gallery/descript/greatbarracuda/greatbarracuda.html.
Friedman, Melissa A., Lora E. Fleming, Merceds Fernandez, Paul Bienfang, Kathleen Schrank, Robert Dickey, Marie-Yasmine Bottein, Lorraine
Backer, Ram Ayyar, Richard Weisman, Sharon Watkins, Ray Granade, and Andrew Reich. “Ciguatera Fish Poisoning: Treatment, Prevention and Management.”Mar Drugs 6.3 (2008): 456-79. NCBI. Web. Retrieved April 14, 2015, from
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2579736/.
Winter, F. David, Jr. “Ciguatera Poisoning: An Unwelcome Vacation Experience.” Baylor University Medical Center Proceedings 22.2 (2009): 142-43. NCBI. Web. Retrieved April 14, 2015, from
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