Introduction
to Toxicology
Toxicology is the study of the adverse effects of chemicals on living
organisms.
Modern Toxicology
is the study of adverse effects of xenobiotics.
Toxicology
like medicine , is both a science and an art.
The science of Toxicology is the observational and data phase whereas
the art of toxicology is the predictive phase of the discipline.
Clinical
Toxicology designates an area of professional emphasis within the
realm of medical science concerned with disease caused by, or uniquely
associated with toxic substances.
Toxicologic
Terms
1. Adverse
effects - abnormal, undesirable or harmful effects
2. Clastogenesis
- chromosomal breakage resulting to rearrangement of chromosomes
3.
Ecotoxicology- this is a specialized area within environmental toxicology
that focuses on the impact of toxic substances on population dynamics
wiithin an ecosystem.
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4.
Haptens : these are chemicalswith molecular weight of less than
1,000; these react with carrier molecules to become antigens before
they exhibit immunogenecity
5.
LD50 - can produce 50% mortality in a population
6.
Mutagenesis - heritable change in genetic material, limited to nucleic
acids
7.
Selective Toxicity: produces injury to one but not harming the other
8.
Teratology: malformation during development of fetus to birth
9.
Toxic: harmful
10.
Toxicity: harmful effects
11.
Toxicodynamics- altered pharmacodynamics
12.
Toxicokinetics - pharmacokinetics of toxic doses of chemicals, altering
normal mechanisms for absorption, metabolism and excretion of foreign
chemical.
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