Environmental Toxicology (4) Flashcards
Three main routes of exposure to chemical compounds
- Inhalation
- Ingestion
- Skin absorption
What happens to chemicals once they enter your body?
Absorption –> Distribution –> Biotransformation –> Excretion
Mnemonic: ADBE
What is absorption?
How a chemical crosses the biological membranes to reach target cells
What is distribution?
Movement and storage of chemical in the body after absorption
What is biotransformation
Breakdown or metabolism of a chemical
What is excretion?
Removal of chemical from body
Where does absorption occur?
GI tract, lungs, skin
Most prominent sites of deposition?
Liver and kidney
What is something that would reduce the distribution of a chemical throughout the body?
Storage of the chemical in various sites (i.e., adipose tissue)
What is the major site of metabolism?
Liver
What generally happens during metabolism?
Substances are changed from hydrophobic to hydrophilic
What are the main sites of excretion?
Liver (feces) and kidney (urine)
What is the main site of storage/deposition?
Adipose tissue
What are some sites of biotransformation?
Liver, kidney, lung, nose, GI tract, brain, skin, heart
What are obesogenic chemicals?
Lipophilic compounds that stimulate the growth & production of fat cells
Why are high doses of APAP bad for the liver?
Because APAP is metabolized in the liver into something harmful
What are some health implications of exposure to particulate matter?
Bronchitis, asthma, and upper respiratory disorders
What is the major functional unit of the brain?
Neurons
What do neurons do?
Communicate to produce behaviors (all of which can be damaged or disrupted by chemicals compounds)
Parts of a neuron
- Cell body (nucleus, mitochondria, ribosomes)
- Dendrites (receives input from another neuron)
- Axon (transmits signal to end of neuron)
- Myelin (insulates neuron to help transmit signal)
- Terminal (releases neurotransmitter onto adjacent neuron)
What is explicit neurotoxicity?
High-level, acute exposure (being sprayed in the face w/ insecticide)
What is subtle neurotoxicity?
Low-level, chronic exposure (insecticides sprayed in the home; consuming contaminated food and water)
What is the main type of insecticides?
Organophosphates
Insecticides are specifically designed to target the ________.
Nervous system
What is SLUDGE?
High-dose, single exposure effect from organophosphates:
Salvation Lacrimation Urination Defecation GI distress Emesis
