Nightshade berries are very poisonous and may have killed a Roman emperor. Tomatoes are part of the same plant family and also have harmful toxins, but they don’t usually harm us.
Tomatoes were once believed to be poisonous, but they have evolved to make their toxins less harmful. Scientists have discovered the genes that help tomatoes do this.
Other plants in the same family, like potatoes, also have toxins to protect themselves from pests. Humans can get sick if they eat too much of these toxins.
Animals help spread the seeds of these plants by eating the fruit. As the fruit ripens, the toxic chemicals turn into something tasty for animals to eat.
Tomatoes have a protein called DML2 that helps make their toxic chemicals less harmful. This change happened during the domestication of tomatoes, making them safe for us to eat.
Overall, tomatoes have become a safe and healthy food for people to enjoy all around the world.
Vocabulary List:
- Poisonous /ˈpɔɪ.zən.əs/ (adjective): Containing substances that can cause illness or death if ingested.
- Toxins /ˈtɒk.sɪnz/ (noun): Poisonous substances produced by living cells or organisms.
- Evolved /ɪˈvɒlvd/ (verb): Developed gradually especially from a simple to a more complex form.
- Domestication /dəˌmɛs.tɪˈkeɪ.ʃən/ (noun): The process of adapting wild plants and animals for human use.
- Ripens /ˈraɪ.pənz/ (verb): To become ripe or mature especially regarding fruit.
- Chemicals /ˈkɛmɪkəlz/ (noun): Substances with a defined composition often used in processes such as reactions or manufacturing.
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