Enivromental Tox Final Terminology

Cancer

Disease of cellular mutation, proliferation, and aberrant cell growth

Neoplasm

Abnormal mass of tissue as a result of uncontrolled cellular growth -neoplastia (called tumor) -

Antagonistic

Reduce harmful responses because toxic agenys work against each other

Synergistic

Multipy harmful responses because toxic agents work together

Malignant

Demonstarte invasive growth, capable to metastisize (move around)

Emphysema

Chronic, progressive conditin - destroys alveolar tissue, common long term smoker bc cigar smoke stimulares marophages enzyems + leokocytes __ destroy tissues

Target Organ

Site where toxicant produces damage

Genotoxic Carcinogen

Initiate tumors through DNA damage - indirectly and directly bind

Particulate Matter

Categorized pm10 and pm2.5, site lung deposition depends on size of particles

Chronic Exposure

exposure > 3 months

Essential substance

necessary in small amounts for normal biological functions

Xenobiotic

Substance with NO USEFUL function in human body

Toxicokinetic

Time facots involved w/ absorption, distribution, biotransformation, elimination

Toxicodynamic

Study of these effects at basic cellular level

Oxidative Stress

Environmental stress or xenobiotc cause buildup of free radicals that results in cell damage

Free radicals

Highly reactive molecules due to unpairs valence electron shells

Apoptosis

Programmed cell death, cell shrinks + breaks into fragments (phagocytized by immune system)

Subacute Exposure

Repeated exposure for 1 month or less

Sub-chronic Exposure

Exposure for 1-3 months

Benign

Neoplasms (tumors) that lack ability to metastisize, typically mild + nonprogressive

Epigenetic

Produce tumors via mechanisms not involving direct DNA damage

Antioxidants

Quenches free radicals and prevents oxidative stress (vitamins E + B Carotens) (green tea)

Tumor supressor genes

Encode patterns that restrain cell growthm prevent cells from dividing uncontrollably - prevent cells become malignant

Oncogenes

Encodes patterns that promote loss of growth control - convert to malignant (mutant of proto-oncogenes

Proto-oncogenes

Normal genes that signal normal cell cycle

Diethylstilbestrol (DES)

Synthetic estrogen used 1940-70s to prevent miscarriages by supplementing placental hormones

Endocrine disruptos

Exogenous agent that interferes with/ natural horomones in baby

DDT

Disruprs the nervous system, disrupts sodium ion channels of neurons and leads to toxic effects in various species, including humans. - widely used as a pesticide before being banned due to its environmental impact.

Circle of poison

When bannes pesticies are used to grow crops (food products) and then imported into another country

Byssinosis

“Brown lung disease” from exposure to cotton dust, hemp, flax in textile workers causing breathing difficulties and lung inflammation.

Bronchiolitis obliterans

rare life threatening, non-reversible obstructive lung disease, bronchioses are compressed + narrowed by fibrosis + inflammation

Abestos

Colective term for group of 6 fibrous silcate materials (mined like clay, roack)

Abestosis

Damages tissues turn into scars

Teratogen

substance that can cause developmental malformations in an embryo or fetus. (birth defects)

Mesothelioma

Malignant tumor involving abdominal wall + abdominal organs (often cause by asbestos exposure and inhalation)

Thalidomide

West Germany - Presribed as tranquilizer + treatment of morning sickness for pregnant women - induced rare limb malformations in newborns

Hormones

chemical messangers covered through blood to stimilate a target organ or tissue

Radioactive Decay

When nucleous of unstable atom loses energy by emitting particles of ionizind radiation

Half Life

Period of time during which half # originally presents '“decay” into daughter product

Necrosis

Mitochondria cease to function + cell runs out of chemical energy, well lyse - No immune response occurs, leading to cell death.

Phthalates

Found in plastics, solvents, peronal care products ~ (anti androgens)

Radon

Carcinogenic gas that builds up in some neurons (2nd cause of cancer in the U.S.)

Bipgenol-A (BPA)

Estrogen minic - chemical found in plastics that disrupts endocrine function.

Synapse

Junction between two communicatin neurons

Brominated Flame Retardants

Organobromise compunds that inhibit ignition of combusting organic materials - make product restitant to burning - added during manufacturing

Synaptic Cleft

the small space between synapse - the pre- and post-synaptic neurons, where neurotransmitters are released and received.

PBBs

1973 Michigan, several thousands fire retardant PBB-6 accidently mixed into livestock feed - contaminated animals + people

PBDEs

currently used as flame retardants in consumer products

PCBs

(persistent organic pollutants) hydrophopic, range from oilly liquids to waxy solida, used as cooling liquids in electrical transformer

Neurotransmitter

short range chemical messenger which act on abjoining nerve cells to transmit signals

Hydrophobic

Compours that do NOT dissolve well in water

Bioaccumulation

Molecules are absorbed in tissue and then stored

Lipophilic

Easily pass through phospholipid bilayer

Biomagnification

Toxin concentration are magnified as they pass up trophic levels (predators consume prey and accumulate toxins from each)

Hydrophilic

compouds that do DO dissolve well in water

Disposition *update

Refers to the changes in the distribution, metabolism, and excretion of substances in an organism.

CSE / leukoencephalopathy **

A rare neurological disorder that affects white matter in the brain, often associated with the use of certain drugs and toxins.

Ionizing radiation **

A type of energy released by atoms in the form of electromagnetic waves or particles that can detach electrons from atoms and ionize them.

Lipophobic

do not pass thru bilayer + depend upon protein channels

Chloracne

acne-like skin eruption associated with/ over exposure to certain halogenated aromatic compounds

Mercury

Natural occuring heavy metals, exists as elemental, organic + inorganic

Yusho Disease

PCB poisoning - Japan + Taiwan rice oil was contaminated w/ PCBs by leaking machinery at commercial processing facility

Methylmercury dioxin

most toxic form of mercury bc it easily passes through membranes - and accumulates in biological organisms, leading to severe health effects.

Minamata Disease

neurological syndrome caused by sever mercury poisiong. - It is named after the Minamata Bay in Japan, where industrial waste contaminated the local seafood, leading to widespread health issues.

Agent Orange

largest known dioxin contamination in 1963-71, contaminated dioxin sprayed over parts of Vietnam

Mad Hatter’s Disease

Focal lessions in adult brain, caused by mercury

Cadium

Xenobiotic used in paints, batteries, + electroplating

Uncertainty Factors

used to account for differences between humans + rodents, + between humans

Nephron

smallest unit functional part of kidneys, consists of tubules + also w/ blood vessles (1 million in each kidney, responsible for filtering blood and producing urine)

Biotransformation

metabolic conversion of chemicals to more water soluble (hydrophilic compound)

Ultrafiltration

as blood flows into the glomerulus, BP forces plasma into Bowmans. - this process separates waste from the blood, allowing for selective reabsorption of nutrients and water.

Enzyme

proteins that greatly increase the rate of chemical reactions in organisms

Reabsorption

as fitrate flows thru tubules, H2O + valuable ions are returned to capillary

Substrate

substance being affected by enzyme

Itai-Itai Disease

(Cadium) - mysterious disease in Japan - crippling bone disease, due to kidney disease from chronic Cadium exposure

Hepatic

refers to liver

Pest

Unwanted organism that indirectly/directly interfer

Steatosis

Early stages of alcohol abuse

Pesticide

Chemical used to kill or control pests - saves human lives via vector control, increases food supplies + lower food costs

Insecticide

chemicals used to kill insects/pests - targeting insect populations specifically.

LD50

Dose of toxicant necessary to kill 50% of tested organism over specified period of timeand - a common measure used in toxicology to assess the acute toxicity of substances.

Hepatic Cirrhosis

Lumps of hepatic (lung) cells die, they are replaced by scar tissues - leading to liver dysfunction and impaired blood flow. It is often caused by chronic liver diseases such as hepatitis or alcohol abuse.

First generation pesticide

Nonpersistant organic compounds made/excreted from plants + toxic metals

• designed to target pests with minimal environmental impact.

Modern Synthetic Pesticides

began w/ DDT (Paul Miller), control defoilating insects in forests, salt marshes