Forensic Toxicology Flashcards
endogenous substance
naturally occurring in the body
exogenous substance
foreign substance in the body
toxin
material exerting a life threatening effect upon a living organism
toxicology
the science of adverse effects of chemicals on living organisms
toxic effects depend on (4)
age
weight
health
dose
Hemolytic effect
attacking the circulatory system and muscle tissue
neurotoxic effect
attacking the central nervous system causes heart failure and breathing difficulties
Receptor
A large molecule on the cell service where neurotransmitters educe their normal effects.
agonist
The drug or poison mimics the action of the transmitter
antagonist
The drug or poison binds to a receptor and blocks the transmitter. 
taken orally
tablets, capsules, liquids
taken rectally
suppositories
intravenously
liquid from a needle
inhaled through lungs
gases, vapor, particles
absorbed
patches on skin
absorbed through mucous membranes
snorting, sniffing, or under the tounge
absorption
the drug enters the body
distribution
The drug moves throughout the body
metabolism
The digestion of the drug into smaller molecules or products
elimination
the removal or excretion of the metabolites
ED50
the dose size that produces the desired effects of a drug in 50% of a test group
LD50
the dose size that produces a lethal effect of a drug in 50% of a test group
