Principles of Toxicology - Lesson 1: Introduction to Toxicology

Vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts, terms, and historical figures introduced in Lesson 1 of Principles of Toxicology.

Toxicology

The study of adverse effects of chemical, physical or biological agents on living organisms.

Toxicologist

A scientist who determines the harmful effects of agents and the molecular, biochemical and cellular mechanisms responsible for the effects.

Toxicants

Any chemical, of synthetic or natural origin, that can produce adverse biological effects.

Toxins

Toxic substances produced by biological systems (plants, animals, bacteria, and fungi).

Poisons

Same as toxicant.

Venoms

Toxins that are injected into another organism via a specialized structure (e.g., snake venom).

Xenobiotics

Compounds that are foreign to the body, including pharmaceuticals, environmental pollutants, and dietary components.

Pollutants

Agents (chemical, physical, or biological) that are introduced into the environment and cause adverse effects to ecosystems or organisms.

Toxicity

The ability of a chemical agent to cause injury; a qualitative term that depends on dose, distribution, and individual susceptibility.

Acute toxicity

Toxicity that occurs soon after acute or limited exposure.

Chronic toxicity

Toxicity that occurs weeks, months or years after exposure.

Environmental toxicology

Study of the effects of toxic substances on the environment, including ecosystems, wildlife, and humans indirectly exposed via the environment.

Mechanistic toxicology

Identifying and understanding the cellular, biochemical and molecular mechanisms by which a chemical causes toxic effects.

Regulatory toxicology

The evaluation of toxicological data to determine safe exposure levels and support regulatory decisions for chemicals, drugs, and other substances.

Medical/clinical toxicology

Deals with the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of toxic effects in humans.

Veterinary toxicology

Studies the effects of toxic substances on animals, particularly those of veterinary interest such as livestock, pets, and wildlife.

Forensic toxicology

Focuses on the detection, identification, and interpretation of toxic substances in legal and criminal investigations.

Paracelsus

Father of toxicology; asserted that all substances are poisons and the right dose differentiates a poison from a remedy, introducing dose–response concepts.

Orfila

Established toxicology as a distinct scientific discipline; used autopsy tissues and chemical analysis for legal cases and demonstrated effects of poisons on specific organs.

Rachel Carson

Mother of environmental toxicology; marine biologist who highlighted environmental damage from pesticides, author of Silent Spring (1962).

Silent Spring

Book by Rachel Carson that raised awareness of pesticide-related environmental damage and helped establish environmental toxicology.

Sulla

Roman official who issued the first law against poisoning, marking early regulatory action.

Thalidomide

Drug discovered in 1957; prescribed to pregnant women for relief of morning sickness; later linked to congenital malformations and spurred regulatory debates.

Exantide

Approved drug for treating Type 2 diabetes; derived from Gila monster saliva.

Captopril

Drug used to treat hypertension and heart failure; developed from bradykinin-potentiating factor found in venom of Bothrops jararaca.

Melitten

Substance from honeybee venom being investigated for anticancer and antifungal properties.

Melamine poisoning

Adulteration of food products with melamine, causing kidney stones and acute kidney failure; used to falsely raise perceived protein content.

Water intoxication

Water poisoning due to drinking too much water too fast; can cause hyponatremia and related complications (example case: KDND radio contest).

Hyponatremia

Low blood sodium level (<135 mmol/L), often resulting from excessive water intake.

Opioids

Family of prescription pain-relieving drugs; top four prescribed in Canada (2017) were fentanyl, hydromorphone, morphine, and oxycodone.

Dose

A xenobiotic in small amounts may be non-toxic and even beneficial, but when the dose increases, toxic and lethal effects may result.

Dose–response relationship

The relationship between dose and the magnitude of the toxic effect; the right dose differentiates a poison from a remedy.