Lecture

The Chemistry of Poisonous Frogs

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In course

CH-120: Advanced general chemistry II

Acquisition des notions fondamentales liées à la réactivité des molécules organiques, identification de la structure de petites molécules organiques au moyen des techniques de spectrométrie de masse, spectroscopie infra-rouge et résonance magnétique nucléa ...

Description

This lecture explores the chemistry behind the poison of various species of poisonous frogs, including the source of their toxins and how they avoid self-poisoning. It delves into the alkaloid compounds found in frogs, such as batrachotoxin and pumiliotoxins, and their effects on nerve and muscle cells. The lecture also discusses the protection mechanism of poisonous frogs against batrachotoxin through a specific amino acid mutation. Additionally, it covers the importance of organic chemistry in understanding everyday compounds and the potential medical applications of frog poisons. Various examples of poisonous alkaloids found in different frog species are presented, shedding light on the fascinating world of toxic amphibians.

Instructors (2)

Jérôme Waser

Jérôme Waser biography and CV's are available on the following website: http://lcso.epfl.ch/waser

Luc Patiny

Expertise Cheminformatics, Data management, Data processing, Javascript developmentLast updated on April 16, 2023. Teaching & PhD Courses Advanced general chemistry II CH-120 Fundamental knowledge on the reactivity of organic compounds and their identification by mass spectrometry, IR spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance. Basic and advanced NMR - Level 1 A (EPFL) CH-601(x) Basic theoretical and experimental aspects of NMR will be taught. Students will be familarized w

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Related concepts (32)

Alkaloid

Alkaloids are a class of basic, naturally occurring organic compounds that contain at least one nitrogen atom. This group also includes some related compounds with neutral and even weakly acidic properties. Some synthetic compounds of similar structure may also be termed alkaloids. In addition to carbon, hydrogen and nitrogen, alkaloids may also contain oxygen or sulfur. More rarely still, they may contain elements such as phosphorus, chlorine, and bromine.

Indole alkaloid

Indole alkaloids are a class of alkaloids containing a structural moiety of indole; many indole alkaloids also include isoprene groups and are thus called terpene indole or secologanin tryptamine alkaloids. Containing more than 4100 known different compounds, it is one of the largest classes of alkaloids. Many of them possess significant physiological activity and some of them are used in medicine. The amino acid tryptophan is the biochemical precursor of indole alkaloids. The action of some indole alkaloids has been known for ages.

Organic chemistry

Organic chemistry is a subdiscipline within chemistry involving the scientific study of the structure, properties, and reactions of organic compounds and organic materials, i.e., matter in its various forms that contain carbon atoms. Study of structure determines their structural formula. Study of properties includes physical and chemical properties, and evaluation of chemical reactivity to understand their behavior.

Organic compound

In chemistry, many authors consider an organic compound to be any chemical compound that contains carbon-hydrogen or carbon-carbon bonds, however, some authors consider an organic compound to be any chemical compound that contains carbon. The definition of "organic" versus "inorganic" varies from author to author, and is a topic of debate. For example, methane () is considered organic, but whether some other carbon-containing compounds are organic or inorganic varies from author to author, for example halides of carbon without carbon-hydrogen and carbon-carbon bonds (e.

Point mutation

A point mutation is a genetic mutation where a single nucleotide base is changed, inserted or deleted from a DNA or RNA sequence of an organism's genome. Point mutations have a variety of effects on the downstream protein product—consequences that are moderately predictable based upon the specifics of the mutation. These consequences can range from no effect (e.g. synonymous mutations) to deleterious effects (e.g. frameshift mutations), with regard to protein production, composition, and function.

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