Menu
Home
People
Places
Arts
History
Plants & Animals
Science
Life & Culture
Technology
Reference.org
Nerve agent
open-in-new
<p>Nerve agents, sometimes also called nerve gases, are a class of <a href="/facts/Organic_chemistry/djxhxaNg">organic chemicals</a> that disrupt the mechanisms by which nerves transfer messages to organs. The disruption is caused by the blocking of <a href="/facts/Acetylcholinesterase/9pLwD1b9">acetylcholinesterase</a> (AChE), an <a href="/facts/Enzyme/DSI1Fh7y">enzyme</a> that catalyzes the breakdown of <a href="/facts/Acetylcholine/v1d3wRUd">acetylcholine</a>, a <a href="/facts/Neurotransmitter/LlpYFSU3">neurotransmitter</a>. Nerve agents are irreversible <a href="/facts/Acetylcholinesterase_inhibitor/VbN36u7y">acetylcholinesterase inhibitors</a> used as <a href="/facts/Poison/XIQjhpsw">poison</a>. </p><p>Poisoning by a nerve agent leads to constriction of <a href="/facts/Pupil/E4ec4lfJ">pupils</a>, profuse <a href="/facts/Salivation/RUzb41Ct">salivation</a>, <a href="/facts/Convulsion/4xL3VfkE">convulsions</a>, and involuntary <a href="/facts/Urination/H4qYz02K">urination</a> and <a href="/facts/Defecation/EBv8o15S">defecation</a>, with the first symptoms appearing in seconds after exposure. Death by <a href="/facts/Asphyxiation/bahl3DJf">asphyxiation</a> or <a href="/facts/Cardiac_arrest/HIAm9AWX">cardiac arrest</a> may follow in minutes due to the loss of the body's control over <a href="/facts/Respiration_(physiology)/KKWAJIbd">respiratory</a> and other muscles. Some nerve agents are readily vaporized or <a href="/facts/Aerosol/X1jXFLp2">aerosolized</a>, and the primary portal of entry into the body is the <a href="/facts/Respiratory_system/IG8v5JEr">respiratory system</a>. Nervous agents can also be absorbed through the skin, requiring that those likely to be subjected to such agents wear a full body suit in addition to a <a href="/facts/Respirator/rYFJThhR">respirator</a>. </p><p>Nerve agents are generally colorless and tasteless liquids. Nerve agents evaporate at varying rates depending on the substance. None are gases in normal environments. The popular term "nerve gas" is inaccurate. </p><p>Agents <a href="/facts/Sarin/aYEK2f61">Sarin</a> and <a href="/facts/VX_(nerve_agent)/71BKt6Gm">VX</a> are odorless; <a href="/facts/Tabun_(nerve_agent)/HPf5hAL1">Tabun</a> has a slightly fruity odor and <a href="/facts/Soman/gULU1kAc">Soman</a> has a slight <a href="/facts/Camphor/53KvP2Rw">camphor</a> odor. </p>