Would Clostridium botulinum be a good microorganism to use for biological warfare? Explain.
What will be an ideal response?
Clostridium botulinum is an anaerobic, endospore-forming, Gram-positive bacillus that is common in soil and water. Its endospores survive improper canning of food. In canned food, they germinate and produce neurotoxins. Heating the food can inactivate the neurotoxins if the temperature is high enough for long enough (80°C for 20 minutes). If the contaminated canned food is ingested unheated, it produces a disease known as botulism. The botulism toxins bind irreversibly to neuronal cytoplasmic membranes and prevent the release of acetylcholine in the neuromuscular junction clefts. This leads to flaccid paralysis of the muscles affected. Eventually, the paralysis affects the diaphragm and leads to death due to respiratory failure. Scientists consider botulism toxin one of the deadliest toxins in the world. Even a small taste of contaminated food can cause full-blown disease and death. Therefore, a small amount of this toxin could wipe out large populations and would be ideal for biological warfare. Even when a person survives, recovery occurs slowly over several months.
Conclusion: botulinum toxin or C. botulinum endospores could be used as biological weapons if distributed properly.
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