Study Guide: Toxicology, Digestion & Forensic Chemistry

A collection of vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts in toxicology, digestion, and forensic chemistry.

Toxicology

The study of poisons, drugs, and harmful chemicals.

Forensic Toxicologist

A toxicologist who works within the field of crime and legal cases, analyzing samples for toxic substances.

Physical Digestion

Mechanical breakdown of food, such as chewing and churning.

Chemical Digestion

The breakdown of food molecules by enzymes.

Metabolites

Breakdown products of drugs or food found in blood, urine, liver, and hair.

Marquis Test

A presumptive test used to detect opiates, amphetamines, and MDMA by indicating a color change.

Gas Chromatography (GC)

A confirmatory test that separates mixtures and identifies substances.

Acetylsalicylic Acid (Aspirin)

A pain reliever and anti-inflammatory that is toxic at high doses.

Caffeine

A stimulant that can cause anxiety and heart issues at elevated levels.

Acetaminophen

A pain and fever reducer that can cause liver damage at high doses.

Ethanol

Alcohol that acts as a depressant and can impair judgment.

Opiates

A class of drugs that include morphine, heroin, and oxycodone; they affect pain and breathing.

Methamphetamine

A strong stimulant that can cause addiction and brain damage.

Presumptive Testing

Fast chemical tests that indicate the possible presence of a substance, but are not definitive.

Forensic Chemist

A professional who identifies unknown substances and tests drugs and chemical evidence in crime labs.