Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
autotoxin
noun
ˌɔːtəʊˈtɒksɪn
Definition
A toxic substance produced by an organism that is harmful to itself or its cells.
Examples
- Some plants produce autotoxins that inhibit the growth of neighboring plants.
- Autotoxins can be a significant factor in the decline of certain microbial communities.
Meaning
Autotoxins are harmful compounds generated by an organism that can lead to self-poisoning, often occurring in plants or microbes.
Synonyms
- Self-poisoning agent
- Toxin
- Inhibitor
