Q: 122 (IAS/1999)
question_subject:
General Knowledge
question_exam:
IAS
stats:
0,58,12,3,4,58,5
keywords:
{'ants': [0, 1, 0, 0], 'glacial acetic acid': [0, 1, 0, 0], 'formic acid': [0, 1, 0, 0], 'stearic acid': [0, 1, 0, 1], 'methanol': [1, 3, 1, 1]}
When ants bite, they inject formic acid into the wound. Formic acid is a compound that is naturally produced by ants and is stored in a specialized gland called the venom gland. When an ant bites, it releases formic acid through its mandibles into the skin of its target. The formic acid serves as a defensive mechanism for the ant, causing a burning or stinging sensation and sometimes an allergic reaction in humans. Different species of ants may have varying levels of formic acid concentration in their venom.