Strychnine is classified as what type of poison?

Strychnine is classified as an acute poison because it produces severe and immediate effects after a relatively short exposure or ingestion. Acute poisons act quickly and can lead to rapid onset of symptoms, often resulting in life-threatening conditions if not treated promptly. In the case of strychnine, the compound primarily affects the central nervous system, leading to severe muscle contractions and convulsions, which can be fatal without immediate medical intervention.

Chronic poisons, on the other hand, generally require long-term exposure to produce harmful effects, often accumulating in the body over time, which is not the case with strychnine. Biological poisons typically refer to toxins produced by living organisms, such as plants or animals, while environmental poisons would encompass substances that contaminates air, water, or soil, and again, this does not accurately describe strychnine's nature or mode of action. Therefore, the classification of strychnine as an acute poison is the most accurate in reflecting its characteristics and effects.