Knowra Nerve agent Nerve agent A nerve agent is a highly toxic chemical that disrupts nervous-system signaling, usually by inhibiting acetylcholinesterase. Exposure can cause convulsions, paralysis, and death.
Acetylcholinesterase : An enzyme that breaks down the neurotransmitter acetylcholine at nerve junctions. Most nerve agents inhibit this enzyme, allowing acetylcholine to accumulate.
Sarin : A volatile organophosphorus nerve agent developed in Germany before World War II. Its rapid action and use in attacks make it a widely documented example.
Gerhard Schrader : A German chemist whose pesticide research led to the discovery of tabun and sarin. His work connected agricultural chemistry to the first G-series agents.
Chemical Weapons Convention : A 1993 treaty prohibiting chemical weapons and requiring their destruction under international verification. Its prohibitions cover nerve agents and their production for weapons.
Blister agent : A chemical warfare agent that damages skin, eyes, and respiratory tissues, often causing blistering. Unlike nerve agents, blister agents primarily injure tissue rather than disrupting acetylcholine signaling.
Acetylcholine : A neurotransmitter that carries signals across many nerve junctions and neuromuscular synapses. Its continued action drives the excessive signaling caused by many nerve agents.
Soman : A highly toxic organophosphorus nerve agent known for rapidly aging its inhibited enzyme complex. Its fast aging can sharply limit the time available for oxime treatment.
G-series nerve agents : A family of nerve agents developed in Germany, including tabun, sarin, and soman. This family traces the early military development of nerve agents.
Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons : An international organization that implements the Chemical Weapons Convention and verifies its requirements. It oversees declarations, inspections, and chemical-weapons destruction.
Cyanide : A class of chemicals that can prevent cells from using oxygen by inhibiting cellular respiration. Cyanide causes systemic poisoning through a different biochemical target.
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