AEMCA Practice Exam

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Which of the following is not a characteristic of ricin?

It is derived from castor beans
It acts quickly upon ingestion
It requires long-term exposure to be harmful
It can cause death within hours of exposure

The correct answer is: It requires long-term exposure to be harmful

Ricin is a highly toxic protein that can be extracted from castor beans. It is well-known for its potency, and ingestion of even a small amount can lead to severe symptoms or death. The other aspects of ricin's characteristics highlight its immediacy and lethality. The statement that it requires long-term exposure to be harmful is inaccurate. Ricin's effects are not dependent on prolonged exposure; rather, it acts quickly, and symptoms can develop within hours of ingestion. This rapid onset of action is a critical feature of ricin's toxicity, making it particularly dangerous. Therefore, option C is correct because it does not accurately represent the characteristics of ricin, which is known for its immediate and acute toxicity rather than requiring long-term exposure.