How Horses Save Humans From Snakebites

Summary of Snake Venom and Antivenom Production

The Australian Reptile Park is home to some of the most venomous snakes in the world, and the park’s staff milk these snakes to produce antivenom. The process of milking snakes is dangerous, and the staff take precautions to avoid being bitten. The venom is used to produce antivenom, which is made by injecting the venom into donor animals, usually horses, and then isolating the antibodies from the animal’s blood.

The antivenom is used to treat snake bites, and it works by binding to the toxic compounds in the venom and neutralizing them. The production of antivenom has downsides, including the danger of collecting venom and the involvement of many donor animals. Scientists are exploring alternative methods of producing antivenom, such as using genetically modified bacteria.

The park’s staff, including Zac, have a deep passion for the animals and are motivated by a desire to save lives. The work they do is crucial in providing antivenom to people who have been bitten by snakes, and it has saved countless lives around the world.

Key Points:

• The Australian Reptile Park is home to some of the most venomous snakes in the world.
• The park’s staff milk the snakes to produce antivenom.
• The antivenom is made by injecting the venom into donor animals and isolating the antibodies from the animal’s blood.
• The antivenom works by binding to the toxic compounds in the venom and neutralizing them.
• The production of antivenom has downsides, including the danger of collecting venom and the involvement of many donor animals.

Term	Definition	Example Usage
Venom	A poisonous substance produced by certain animals, such as snakes, that can cause harm or death to humans or other animals.	The snake’s venom was used to produce antivenom, which is essential for treating snake bites.
Antivenom	A medicine made from the venom of an animal, used to treat bites or stings from that animal.	The hospital administered antivenom to the patient who had been bitten by a venomous snake.
Antibodies	Proteins in the blood that recognize and bind to specific foreign substances, such as toxins or viruses.	The antivenom contained antibodies that neutralized the toxic compounds in the snake’s venom.
Donor Animals	Animals used to produce antivenom, such as horses, that are injected with venom and then have their blood harvested for antibodies.	The production of antivenom relies on donor animals, such as horses, that are used to generate antibodies against the venom.
Toxic Compounds	Poisonous substances that can cause harm or death to humans or other animals.	The antivenom worked by binding to the toxic compounds in the snake’s venom and neutralizing them.
Genetically Modified Bacteria	Bacteria that have been altered using genetic engineering to produce specific substances, such as antivenom.	Scientists are exploring the use of genetically modified bacteria to produce antivenom, reducing the need for donor animals.
Neutralize	To make something harmless or ineffective, such as a toxin or a poison.	The antivenom neutralized the venom, preventing it from causing further harm to the patient.
Reptile	A type of animal that has scales, lays eggs, and is cold-blooded, such as snakes, lizards, and turtles.	The Australian Reptile Park is home to a variety of reptiles, including some of the most venomous snakes in the world.
Milking Snakes	The process of extracting venom from snakes, typically by stimulating the snake to bite a container or a fake target.	The staff at the Australian Reptile Park milk the snakes to produce venom, which is then used to make antivenom.
Immunization	The process of making an animal or person immune to a particular disease or toxin, often through the use of vaccines or antivenom.	The production of antivenom involves immunizing donor animals to the venom, which then produce antibodies that can be used to treat snake bites.

Vocabulary Quiz

Test your understanding of the vocabulary used in the text with this 5-question multiple-choice quiz.

1. What does the word “venomous” mean in the context of the text?

Having a strong dislike for something
Producing or containing venom
Having a mild effect on the body
Being harmless to humans

2. What is the meaning of the word “neutralizing” in the text?

Making something more toxic
Reducing the effect of something to zero
Increasing the potency of a substance
Making something more contagious

3. What does the word “donor” refer to in the context of the text?

A person who receives antivenom
An animal that provides blood or tissues for a medical purpose
A scientist who develops antivenom
A type of venomous snake

4. What is the meaning of the word “crucial” in the text?

Not important or significant
Absolutely necessary or essential
Somewhat useful but not essential
Only slightly important

5. What does the word “genetically” mean in the context of the text?

Related to the environment or surroundings
Related to the genetic makeup or DNA of an organism
Related to the behavior or actions of an organism
Related to the physical characteristics of an organism

Answer Key:

1. b) Producing or containing venom
2. b) Reducing the effect of something to zero
3. b) An animal that provides blood or tissues for a medical purpose
4. b) Absolutely necessary or essential
5. b) Related to the genetic makeup or DNA of an organism

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Passive Voice and Its Usage in Scientific Texts

The passive voice is a grammatical construction where the subject of a sentence receives the action described by the verb. In scientific texts, the passive voice is often used to focus on the experiment, process, or result, rather than the person performing the action. For example, in the text, “The venom is used to produce antivenom” is an example of the passive voice, where the focus is on the venom and the process of producing antivenom, rather than the person using it. The passive voice can be formed using the verb “to be” and the past participle of the main verb, such as “is made”, “is used”, and “is produced”.

Quiz Time!

Choose the correct answer for each question:

1. The antivenom _____________ by injecting the venom into donor animals and isolating the antibodies from the animal’s blood.
   1. A) makes
   2. B) is made
   3. C) make
   4. D) are made
2. The venom _____________ to produce antivenom, which is then used to treat snake bites.
   1. A) use
   2. B) is used
   3. C) uses
   4. D) are used
3. The Australian Reptile Park _____________ home to some of the most venomous snakes in the world.
   1. A) is made
   2. B) makes
   3. C) is considered
   4. D) is
4. The staff at the park _____________ precautions to avoid being bitten by the snakes.
   1. A) take
   2. B) is taking
   3. C) are taken
   4. D) takes
5. The production of antivenom _____________ to have downsides, including the danger of collecting venom.
   1. A) is known
   2. B) knows
   3. C) are known
   4. D) has been known

Answer Key:

1. B) is made
2. B) is used
3. D) is
4. A) take
5. A) is known