According to the material, which toxin type does the brown recluse release?

• A. Hemotoxin
• B. Biotoxin
• C. Necrotoxin
• D. Neurotoxin

Answer: (D)

Toxins are classified by the primary effect they produce. Brown recluse venom is largely dermonecrotic due to enzymes like sphingomyelinase D, which damage cell membranes and cause local tissue death. That makes it a necrotoxin—the toxin mainly destroys tissue rather than disrupting nerve signaling or blood components. Neurotoxins alter nervous system transmission and produce neurologic signs, which isn’t the hallmark of brown recluse bites. Hemotoxins affect blood or clotting, which isn’t the primary action here. Biotoxin is a broad, non-specific term, not the best descriptor for this mechanism. So the toxin type released by the brown recluse is necrotoxin.