Curare (Noun)
Meaning
A toxic alkaloid found in certain tropical South American trees that is a powerful relaxant for striated muscles; "curare acts by blocking cholinergic transmission at the myoneural junction".
Classification
Nouns denoting substances.
Examples
- The indigenous people of the Amazon rainforest have long used curare as a poison for hunting and warfare.
- Curare is a potent neuromuscular blocking agent that can cause paralysis and death if not used properly.
- The discovery of curare's muscle-relaxing properties led to its use in modern medicine, particularly in anesthesia.
- In the 19th century, curare was first isolated from the bark of the Chondrodendron tomentosum tree.
- Researchers have been studying the chemical composition of curare to develop new treatments for muscle disorders.