Definition

A harmful substance made by a microorganism that is released into its environment and can cause illness.

Example

The scientist studied the effects of exotoxin on human cells.

Conversation

Have you heard about the new study on exotoxin effects in certain bacteria?

No, I haven't! What did they find out?

They discovered that some exotoxin levels can actually affect human health.

Wow, that's pretty alarming! I guess we need to be more careful with food safety.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Exotoxin is formed from "exo-" (meaning outside) and "toxin" (from Greek "toxikon", meaning poison). The word refers to a poison that is produced outside of the organism, typically by bacteria, and can cause harm when introduced into the body.

Memory Tip

Think of 'outside' ('exo-') and 'poison' ('toxin') to remember that an exotoxin is a poison that comes from outside the organism.

Visually Confused Words