Bacterial toxins are interesting but can be very harmful. They are tools that bad bacteria (called pathogens) use to mess with how our body's cells work. There are two main types of these toxins: exotoxins and endotoxins.

1. Exotoxins: These are special proteins made and sent out by bacteria. They usually target specific types of cells in the body. For example, Clostridium botulinum makes a toxin called botulin. This toxin stops a chemical in our body called acetylcholine from working, which can lead to paralysis. Another example is the diphtheria toxin. This one messes up how proteins are made in cells, which can cause the cells to die.

2. Endotoxins: These are a bit different. They are part of the bacteria’s structure, specifically found in the cell wall (called lipopolysaccharides in gram-negative bacteria). When the bacteria die, they release endotoxins into the body. This can cause our immune system to have a big reaction, leading to symptoms like fever, inflammation, and in serious cases, septic shock.

In short, both types of toxins change how our cells work, tricking our immune system and making it easier for harmful bacteria to cause sickness.