Chapter 13 - Forensic Toxicology Flashcards
Absorption
Process in which light energy with certain wavelength is absorbed by a molecule when it interacts with light
Acidosis
Acidification of the blood
Acute Dose
An amount of a chemical administered over a short period of time
Alcohol
Organic compound with an OH group
Alcohol Dehydrogenase Enzyme
Enzyme in the liver that converts ethanol into acetaldehyde
Analgesic
A compound that relieves pain
Analyte
The compound that you’re analyzing for
BAC
- Measure of the amount of alcohol in the bloodstream
- Given in terms of grams of alcohol in 100 mL of blood
Blood Alcohol Concentration/Content
Barbiturates
Medications that cause you to relax or feel drowsy.
Bioaccumulation
The accumulation of a substance in the tissues of an organism
Bioavailability
The amount of the compound that reaches the bloodstream
Breathalyzer
A device for measuring the alcohol in a person’s expired breath
Breath Testing
Method for measuring BAC levels from the alcohol in a person’s breath
Chronic Exposure
Exposure to a drug/chemical over long periods of time
Congeners
Other substances found in alcoholic beverages
Controlled Substance Act
CSA
- Places all regulated substances in existing federal law into one of 5 schedules
- Based on potential for abuse, medical use, and potential for addiction
Corrosive Poisons
- Substances that physically destroy tissues upon direct contact
- Act immediately (like strong acids and bases)
Cytotoxin
A substance that is toxic to cells
Depressants
Compounds that depress the functioning of the CNS, bringing about calmness and sleep
Distribution
The spreading of a substance after administration throughout an organism
Dose
The amount of a substance administered at a particular time
Drug
- Substance that is given for medical purpose
- Prevention, diagnosis, treatment of disease
Elimination
The removal of substances from the body (metabolic products)
Ethanol
- The alcohol used for human consumption
- Also used as an additive to fuels
CH3CH2OH
Ethnopharmacology
The exploration of traditional folk remedies for finding new drugs
Field Sobriety Test
Behavorial tests enacted upon someone suspected of intoxication
Fermentation
The breakdown of sugar into ethanol and CO2
Half-life
t½
The amount of time it takes for 1/2 the original sample to change, decompose or decay
Hallucinogens
- Alter normal thought processes, perceptions, personal awareness, psychological moods
- Marijuana, LSD, PCP, MDMA
Henry’s Law
Provides the basis for estimating the amount of alcohol in the bloodstream by measuring the amount of alcohol in exhaled breath
Horizontal Gaze Nystagamus
HGN
- Test that eamines the involuntary jerking of the eye as a person looks from side to side
-Gages levels of intoxication
Ingestion
The entry of a chemical into the body through the gastrointestinal tract (orally)
Intramuscular
The injection of a substance directly into a muscle
Intravenous
The injection of a substance directly into a blood vessel
Injection
Insertion of a compound directly into the bloodstream/in nearby tissue
Lethal Dose
LD50
The amount of drug that would kill a human/animal if administered
Metabolic Poisons
Affect the biochemical functioning of cells and tissues
Metabolite
Compound formed from the metabolism/break down of a drug
Medicine
A drug or chemical used for the prevention, diagnosis, treatment of disease
Narcotic
- A drug that brings relief from pain and brings sleep
- Morphine, Heroin, Codeine,
Neuron
Nerve cells
Neurotoxins
Molecules that interfere with the normal functioning of nerve cells
Opiods
- Natural to synthetic opoids that function similarly to opiates
- Relieve pain
Opiates
- Natural compounds derived from opium sap
- Relax the body and relieve pain
Pharmacodynamics
The study of how a drug works on a person
Poison
- A compound that function primarily by killing cells
- Enters the body through inhalation, absorption, or orally
Semi-synthetic Opiates
Drugs made synthetically from the naturally occurring opiates
Side Effect
A secondary effect from a medical treatment
Standardized Field Sobriety Test
SFST
- Series of tasks used to evaluate impairment due to drug use
- Positive tests may be used as a basis for an arrest
- HGN, walk and turn, one leg stand
Steroids
Compounds that…
- promote muscle growth and repair
- regulate metabolism and immune function
- control blood properties
Stimulants
- Compounds that increase alertness and activity
- Adderall, Cocaine
Subcutaneous
The injection of a substance directly into the skin layers
Synapses
Junctions between nerve cells that complete the electrical connections in the nervous system
Synesthesia
Effect that occurs when stimulation of one sense leads to stimulation of another sensation
Tolerance
- Condition that occurs when the body gets used to a substance
- Capacity for the body to accept it increases
Toxicology
The field that deals with the nature and effects of poisons
Toxin
A poisonous substance produced within living cells or organisms.
Venom
A toxin that is injected directly into a victim
