Water and Air Pollutants: Effects on Human Biochemistry

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and definitions related to the effects of water and air pollutants on human biochemistry.

Environmental Pollutants

Harmful substances released into water and air that alter natural composition.

Primary Sources of Pollutants

Include industrial emissions, vehicle exhaust, and agricultural runoff.

Heavy Metals as Water Pollutants

Lead, mercury, and arsenic; accumulate in tissues, interfere with enzyme function, and displace essential minerals.

Organic Compounds as Water Pollutants

Pesticides, pharmaceuticals, and industrial chemicals that persist in water and act as endocrine disruptors.

Microplastics as Water Pollutants

Tiny plastic particles that absorb other toxins, enter the food chain, and can penetrate cellular barriers.

Pathogens as Water Pollutants

Bacteria, viruses, and parasites that cause acute illness and trigger inflammatory responses.

Particulate Matter (PM2.5 and PM10)

Air pollutants that penetrate deep into lungs; smaller particles can enter bloodstream and reach organs.

Nitrogen Oxides (NOx)

Air pollutants from combustion processes that damage respiratory tissues and contribute to ground-level ozone formation.

Sulfur Dioxide (SO2)

Air pollutant from fossil fuel burning that irritates airways and forms acid rain.

Ozone (O3)

Ground-level air pollutant that oxidizes lung tissue components and reduces lung function.

Carbon Monoxide (CO)

Air pollutant that binds to hemoglobin with higher affinity than oxygen, reducing oxygen transport capacity.

Inhalation Pathway

Airborne pollutants enter respiratory system; gas exchange surfaces rapidly absorb contaminants into bloodstream.

Ingestion Pathway

Contaminated food and water enter digestive tract; absorption occurs primarily in small intestine.

Dermal Pathway

Some compounds penetrate skin barriers; lipophilic substances cross cell membranes more readily.

Oxidative Stress

Pollutants generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) that damage lipids, proteins, and DNA.

Inflammation (toxicity)

Toxicants activate inflammatory pathways; pro-inflammatory cytokines recruit immune cells and amplify tissue damage.

DNA Damage (toxicity)

Toxins cause mutations and epigenetic changes, disrupting normal cellular function.

Mitochondrial Dysfunction

Pollutants impair energy production pathways; ATP depletion compromises essential cellular processes.

Endothelial Dysfunction

Pollutants damage blood vessel lining cells, decreasing nitric oxide production.

Atherosclerosis

Inflammation promotes plaque formation; arterial walls thicken and lose elasticity.

Blood-Brain Barrier Disruption

Pollutants compromise protective barrier integrity, allowing toxins access to neural tissue.

Glial Cell Activation

Microglia and astrocytes initiate inflammatory responses, releasing cytokines that damage neurons.

Neurotransmitter Imbalance

Signaling molecule synthesis and breakdown change; dopamine, serotonin, and glutamate systems become dysregulated.

Endocrine Disruption

Pollutants mimic or block hormones, interfering with receptor binding and signaling pathways.

Initiation (carcinogenesis)

Pollutants cause DNA mutations and damage.

Promotion (carcinogenesis)

Altered cells proliferate abnormally.

Metastasis

Cancer cells invade surrounding tissues.

Exposure Markers

Biomarkers such as blood lead and urinary arsenic that confirm recent exposure to pollutants.

Effect Markers

Biomarkers such as 8-OHdG and malondialdehyde that indicate oxidative damage from pollutants.

Susceptibility Markers

Biomarkers such as CYP enzyme variants that predict individual risk from pollutant exposure.