Welcome back to the Chemist Corner!

Today, we're talking about ricin, a highly toxic protein found in castor beans. It can be inhaled, ingested, or injected, and all routes of exposure can be fatal.

Ricin works by damaging ribosomes, the cell's protein factories. This prevents the cell from producing proteins, which can lead to cell death. Ricin is so powerful that just a few milligrams can be fatal to an adult.

Ricin is a Category B bioterrorism agent, which means that it is considered to be a serious threat to public health and safety. It has been used in several terrorist attacks in recent years, including the assassination of Bulgarian journalist Georgi Markov in 1978.

There is no specific antidote for ricin poisoning, so treatment is supportive and aimed at preventing complications. If you think you may have been exposed to ricin, it is important to seek medical attention immediately.

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