When ricin enters the body, it causes:

When ricin enters the body, it causes:

• A. Seizures
• B. Pulmonary edema and circulatory failure
• C. Diarrhea
• D. Skin rash

Answer: (B)

Ricin’s toxicity comes from its ability to shut down protein synthesis inside cells, leading to cell death in many tissues. When the toxin enters the body, its impact on the vascular and lung tissues is especially dangerous. It damages the lining of blood vessels and increases capillary permeability, so fluid leaks into the lungs. That fluid buildup causes pulmonary edema, which impairs oxygen exchange. As organ damage progresses and circulation becomes compromised, circulatory failure can occur. While ingestion can cause gastrointestinal symptoms like diarrhea, the life-threatening pattern most characteristic of ricin exposure—especially with inhalation—is pulmonary edema paired with circulatory collapse. Seizures and skin rash are not typical primary effects of ricin poisoning.

Ricin’s toxicity comes from its ability to shut down protein synthesis inside cells, leading to cell death in many tissues. When the toxin enters the body, its impact on the vascular and lung tissues is especially dangerous. It damages the lining of blood vessels and increases capillary permeability, so fluid leaks into the lungs. That fluid buildup causes pulmonary edema, which impairs oxygen exchange. As organ damage progresses and circulation becomes compromised, circulatory failure can occur. While ingestion can cause gastrointestinal symptoms like diarrhea, the life-threatening pattern most characteristic of ricin exposure—especially with inhalation—is pulmonary edema paired with circulatory collapse. Seizures and skin rash are not typical primary effects of ricin poisoning.