NEUROTOXINS PARALYSE THE VICTIM

The tropical sea snail's venom blocks the signals between the nerve cells and muscles of the victim, so that it cannot move.

1

The snail uses a sensor to feel when a prey is nearby. It takes aim and lets off its venom with a harpoon-like organ, which is in fact a kind of a trunk.

2

The venom is injected in the victim and enters the nervous system.

3

The venom alpha- conotoxin blocks the contact between nerve cells and muscle cells by attaching to the muscle cell receptors and preventing the neurotransmitters from coming through.

4

When the nervous system and muscles are out of order, the victim is paralysed, and the snail can swallow it whole using its extensible harpoon. Humans, who step on the coneshell, are at risk of suffering from breathing problems and heart failure.