Biological and Chemical Poisons - Vocabulary Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and definitions from the lecture notes on biological and chemical poisons, exposure routes, mechanisms of action, and antidotes.

Poison

Substances that harm the body when introduced in sufficient quantities.

Toxicology

The study of poisons, their effects, and antidotes.

Biological poisons

Naturally occurring toxins produced by living organisms (venoms, plant toxins, bacterial toxins).

Chemical poisons

Substances that are synthetic or naturally occurring chemicals (heavy metals, pesticides, industrial chemicals).

Venoms

Poisonous substances produced by animals, delivered by bites or stings; antidote is antivenom.

Plant toxins

Toxins produced by plants (e.g., ricin, atropine) with varying systemic effects.

Bacterial toxins

Toxins produced by bacteria (exotoxins and endotoxins; examples include botulinum toxin and tetanus toxin).

Heavy metals

Toxic metals such as lead, mercury, and arsenic that can accumulate in the body; antidotes include chelating agents.

Pesticides

Chemicals used to kill pests, including organophosphates and carbamates; antidotes for organophosphates include atropine and pralidoxime.

Industrial chemicals

Toxic chemicals used in industry (e.g., cyanide, carbon monoxide); antidotes include hydroxocobalamin for cyanide and 100% oxygen for CO.

Local action

Poison acts at the site of contact (e.g., skin or mucous membranes).

Remote action

Poison affects organs away from the entry site, often after absorption.

Ingestion

Route of exposure via swallowing toxins through food or drink.

Inhalation

Route of exposure via breathing airborne toxins.

Injection

Route of exposure that introduces poison directly into the bloodstream or tissues.

Absorption

Route of exposure through skin or mucous membranes.

Idiosyncrasy

Unusual sensitivity to certain drugs or foods.

Age susceptibility

Increased vulnerability to poisons in children and the elderly due to physiological differences.

Habit (tolerance)

Tolerance built from habitual use of drugs or poisons affecting response.

Dose

Amount of poison ingested or exposed to, influencing the severity of effects.

Fatal dose

The smallest dose known to cause death.

Purgatives

Substances that induce bowel movements to evacuate poison.

Sudorifics

Substances that induce sweating to help eliminate poison.

Diuretics

Substances that increase urine production to flush out poison.

Antidote

A substance that counteracts the effects of a poison.

Chelating agents

Compounds that form stable complexes with metal ions to reduce toxicity and aid excretion.

Activated charcoal

Substance that adsorbs toxic substances in the gut, preventing absorption.

Antivenom

Treatment that binds venom components to neutralize effects and aid removal.

Botulinum antitoxin

Antitoxin that binds botulinum toxin, preventing its interaction with nerve cells.

Tetanus immunoglobulin

Antibodies used to neutralize tetanus toxin.

Ricin

A plant toxin used as an example of plant-derived toxins.

Atropine

Antidote used for organophosphate poisoning; blocks muscarinic effects.

Pralidoxime (2-PAM)

Antidote for organophosphate poisoning; reactivates acetylcholinesterase.

Hydroxocobalamin

Antidote for cyanide poisoning; binds cyanide to form non-toxic compounds.

Cyanide

Rapid-acting chemical poison; antidote includes hydroxocobalamin and oxygen therapy.

Carbon monoxide

Toxic gas; antidote is 100% oxygen.

Venom delivery

Venoms are delivered into the body through bites or stings.

Strychnine

Noxious CNS poison that causes convulsions; acts on the spinal cord.

Digitalis

Cardiac glycoside; affects heart function and can be toxic.

Cantharides

Plant/animal irritant that can irritate and damage kidneys; used as a toxin example.

Ergot

Toxic fungus causing vasoconstriction; listed as a biological/chemical-related toxin in some classifications.

Phosphorus

Poison that is toxic to the liver and other organs.

Carbolic acid (phenol)

A chemical toxin with both local (contact burns) and remote (systemic) effects.

Corrosives

Strong acids or caustic alkalis that can cause tissue destruction.

Exotoxins

Toxins released by bacteria into the surrounding environment.

Endotoxins

Toxins that are part of the bacterial cell wall and released upon lysis.

Vulnerants

External agents (nails, broken glass, dust) that can cause harm upon contact.

Methinks (summary)

Understanding poison classification, mechanisms, and antidotes is crucial for management.