1.2.3 to 1.2.4: Forensic toxicology & histology

Question 1

Metabolism

Answer 1

The process of converting molecules to new substances or energy.

Question 2

Metabolites

Answer 2

The molecules produced during metabolism; found in blood, sweat, urine, skin cells, hair, and fingernails. They can give clues as to what substances a individual ingested.

Question 3

Presumptive tests

Answer 3

Tests that indicate if a certain substance or chemical is present but doesn’t identify the exact identity of the substance being tested (ie, Marquis tests)

Question 4

Confirmatory tests

Answer 4

Specific tests that can pinpoint the exact substance and its properties (ie, gas chromatography)

Question 5

Aspirin

Answer 5

OTC painkiller

Question 6

Acetaminophen

Answer 6

OTC painkiller & fever reducer

Question 7

Oxycodone

Answer 7

Opioid painkiller; requires a prescription and is commonly abused

Question 8

Forensic toxicologist vs. chemist

Answer 8

A forensic toxicologist analyzes samples to see if certain chemicals/substances are present that could have contributed to the decedent’s death; a forensic chemist tests these substances to determine their identity.

Question 8

Histology

Answer 8

Study of the microscopic anatomy of tissues

Question 9

Central nervous system

Answer 9

The brain and spinal cord process the information and decide what to do. They send information to the peripheral nervous system.

Question 10

Peripheral nervous system

Answer 10

Nerves transmit signals from the brain throughout the body to initiate specific responses.

Question 11

Parietal lobe

Answer 11

Integrates sensory and visual information

Question 12

Occipital lobe

Answer 12

Receives and processes sensory nerve impulses from the eyes

Question 13

Temporal lobe

Answer 13

Processes language and stores information in the long-term memory

Question 14

Frontal lobe

Answer 14

Plans and organizes incoming information; controls behaviors and emotions

Question 15

TBI

Answer 15

Traumatic brain injury; caused by an outside force

Question 16

CTE

Answer 16

Chronic traumatic encephalopathy; progressive degeneration caused by repeated injury to the brain

Question 17

Epithelial tissue

Answer 17

Found on outer surfaces of organs and blood vessels; is a protective barrier, absorbs substances, and secretes substances

Question 18

Connective tissue

Answer 18

Supports or connects other tissue types and is attached to / in between other tissues in the body

Question 19

Nervous tissue

Answer 19

Found in nerves, the brain, and spinal cord; interprets and responds to signals and is made of neurons

Question 20

Muscle tissue

Answer 20

Makes up muscles and has 3 kinds: striated/skeletal (attached to bones), smooth (walls of internal organs), and cardiac (walls of heart)

Question 21

Neurons and Tau proteins during a concussion

Answer 21

Neurons are stretched, sheared, or transected during a concussion, meaning that they can’t effectively transmit signals. After repeated brain injury, Tau proteins clump in the brain, which spread and kill neurons.