What statement is true regarding strychnine and zinc phosphide?

The statement that strychnine and zinc phosphide are single dose (acute) poisons is accurate because both compounds are known for their rapid toxicity when ingested. Acute poisons are characterized by their potential to cause severe harm or death quickly after exposure, which is typical for these substances.

Strychnine acts as a potent neurotoxin, causing severe muscular convulsions and potentially leading to death within hours of ingestion. Zinc phosphide, on the other hand, releases phosphine gas after reacting with stomach acid, which interferes with cellular respiration and can be fatal quite quickly.

This acute toxicity profile makes them effective as rodenticides under certain conditions, as they do not require multiple doses to achieve their lethal effect. In contrast, chronic poisons would typically accumulate over time before causing harm, which is not the case for these substances. Their use is not primarily focused on birds, hence they are specifically formulated for rodent control.