Question

Which of the following are mitotic poisons?

Answer 1

Hint: A mitotic poison is one that disrupts or inhibits mitotic division in some way. These chemicals can be extremely dangerous because they can cause issues during cell division. However mitotic poisons can be used to stop cancer cells from dividing.

Complete answer:
A mitotic poison is a toxin that is able to disrupt the mitotic division of cells. The toxins are able to do this by stopping the process of cell division in some way. For example, certain materials can cause the mitotic spindles to clump together instead of dividing.
Colchicine: Colchicine is a substance that stops mitotic division and can cause cells to die. This material is used to treat certain gout disorders. However, it can be incredibly toxic if it is not administered properly.
Mustard gas and azides: Mustard gas has been used as a biological weapon of warfare for a long time. This gas can cause blisters to form on the skin of individuals. It can also cause respiratory issues. Mustard gas can accumulate in the brain and cause damage there. Azides are also extremely dangerous.
Cyanides: Cyanides are a dangerous poison that can shut down a person’s system. Although they don’t directly affect the mitotic cycle they can inhibit ATP formation which indirectly stops cell division.

Note:
The answer to the question is all of the above. All of these chemicals, mustard gas and azides, cyanides, and colchicines are mitotic poisons. Some mitotic poisons are used for chemical chemotherapy to kill cancer cells.