A poison produced by an organism is a \( \qquad \) endotoxin toxin exotoxin conjugation

A poison produced by an organism is a **toxin**. **Explanation of the Options:** 1. **Endotoxin:** This is a specific type of toxin found within the cell wall of Gram-negative bacteria. It is released when the bacteria die and their cell walls break apart. While endotoxins are indeed toxins, they are a subset of toxins rather than a general term for any poison produced by an organism. 2. **Toxin:** This is a broad term that refers to any poisonous substance produced by living cells or organisms. Toxins can be produced by plants, animals, bacteria, and other organisms. They are used in various biological processes, including defense and offense. 3. **Exotoxin:** These are toxins secreted by bacteria into their surrounding environment. Like endotoxins, exotoxins are specific types of toxins but are not the general term for all poisons produced by organisms. 4. **Conjugation:** This term is unrelated to toxins. In biology, conjugation refers to a process where two organisms exchange genetic material. **Conclusion:** The most appropriate and general term for a poison produced by an organism is **toxin**.