Lecture 35 Flashcards
Toxicology
The study of the adverse effects of chemical or physical agents on living systems
Toxin
A poisonous substance produced by living cells
snake venom
Toxicant
A MAN-MADE chemical introduced into the environment that produces toxic effects on living cells
waste products
Descriptive Toxicology
identify phenotypic changes resulting from exposure to toxic substances
CNS adverse effects: seizures, agitation, irritation, loss of consciousness, anxiety, confusion, paranoia
Cardiovascular: tachycardia, hypertension, chest pain, cardiac ischemia
Mechanistic toxicology
An area of focus in toxicology concerned with determining why (or how) agents provoke a toxic response.
Why is it toxic?
THC
Regulatory toxicology
An area of focus in toxicology that is concerned with assessing
the risks of toxic substances and determining how that risk is best managed
What should we do about it?
Local response
effect observed at site of contact or portal of entry
Systemic response
effect observed at site distant from contact or portal of entry
Immediate response
seconds to hours
Delayed response
days to years
Reversible response
effect becomes less intense after stopping exposure
Irreversible response
effect persists after stopping exposure
Mitigation of toxic responses
- wearing protective gear–>prevent/reduce exposure
- hospitalized–> enhance elimination from body
- narcan–> block/repair cellular effects
