Endotoxic

/ˌɛndoʊˈtɑksɪk/ adjective

Definition

Relating to or caused by an endotoxin; describing the toxic effects produced by gram-negative bacteria that release harmful substances from their cell walls.

Etymology

From 'endotoxin' (a toxin within bacterial cells) plus the adjective suffix '-ic', used in microbiology and medicine to describe poisoning or inflammation caused by bacterial endotoxins.

Kelly Says

When you get food poisoning from contaminated food, endotoxic effects from bacteria can make you feel terrible—these toxins are locked inside bacterial cell walls, so even dead bacteria in food can still make you sick.

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