A spider's venom paralyzes its victim, keeping the victim fresh, yet immobile. Spider venom does this by slowing or stopping the work of a chemical called glutamate, which controls muscle movement in insects. Glutamate is also an important messenger chemical in the human brain. 

 Ref: Elizabeth Pennisi. "Spider Toxins May Take Bite Out of Strokes." Science News, Vol. 139, p. 270. Illustration: Hippocrates was the first to describe the sudden paralysis often experienced by those who have a stroke.(PD)

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