What are toxins produced by bacteria called?

The correct answer identifies toxins produced by bacteria as endotoxins and exotoxins. Endotoxins are typically found in the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria and are released when the bacteria die and the cell wall breaks apart. This can trigger strong immune reactions in the human body. Exotoxins, on the other hand, are actively secreted by both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, and they can have potent effects even at low concentrations, often leading to diseases by damaging host tissues or disrupting cellular processes.

This distinction is crucial because it helps in understanding the different ways bacteria can harm a host and informs the strategies for treatment and prevention of bacterial infections. The other options do not correctly describe bacterial toxins: carcinogens and mutagens are related to substances that cause cancer or genetic mutations, while viruses and protease refer to viral pathogens and enzymes, respectively, and pathogens and neurotoxins encompass a broader range without specifically identifying the bacterial nature of endotoxins and exotoxins.