Toxins: Broad Introduction and Mechanism of Toxicity

This set of flashcards covers essential vocabulary related to toxins and their mechanisms of toxicity as discussed in the lecture.

Toxins

Substances that can cause harm to living organisms; can be naturally occurring or man-made.

Paracelsus' Quote

"All substances are poisons; there is none which is not a poison. The right dose differentiates a poison and a remedy."

Xenobiotics

Man-made toxins that are not naturally found in the body.

Gaseous pollutants

Toxins in the air such as nitrogen oxides, SO2, ozone, CO, and particulates.

Mechanism of Toxicity

Processes by which toxins exert harmful effects on biological systems.

Absorption

The process by which substances enter the bloodstream from the site of entry.

Passive diffusion

Movement of substances across a membrane without the need for energy.

Facilitated diffusion

Process of transporting substances across a membrane with the help of proteins.

Active transport

Energy-requiring process that moves substances against their concentration gradient.

Pinocytosis

The process by which cells engulf liquid particles.

Phagocytosis

The process by which cells engulf solid particles.

Plasma proteins

Proteins in the blood such as albumin that can bind to toxins.

Blood-brain barrier

A selective barrier that protects the brain from potentially harmful substances.

Renal excretion

The removal of waste products from the body via the kidneys.

Teratogenesis

The process by which toxins cause developmental abnormalities in a fetus.

Lipid Peroxidation

The oxidative degradation of lipids resulting in cell damage.

Oxidative stress

A condition resulting from an imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants in the body.

Covalent binding

The process by which toxins bind to macromolecules like proteins and DNA.

Apoptosis

Programmed cell death that can result from toxicity.

Necrosis

Cell death due to irreversible damage.