Lecture 5 - RH Flashcards
What is the difference between a biomarker of exposure and a biomarker of effect?
Exposure: Indicates expsure to chemical but no information on magnitude
Effect: Measurable biochemical, physiological or other alterations
What are the levels of adverse effects that can be seen?
Whole organism - population
Organ - proteins and enzymes
Cellular and molecular
What are the types of biomarkers that exist?
Physiological: Altered respiration rate and growth rate
Biochemical: Induction/inhibition of proteins, enzymes, etc
Genetic: DNA adducts, mutations, up/down regulation of genes
Behavioural: Feeding, dark colouration and erratic swimming
What affect do anticoagulants have?
Inhibit vitamin K binding sites preventing clotting
What effect does lead have?
Inhibits ALAD pathway
What effect does organophosphorous have?
Inhibits AChE
What are some respiration inhibitors?
Rotenone blocks electron transport chain
Cyanide, carbon monoxide block complex 3 ETC.
Dinitrophenol is an uncoupler and makes membranes leaky
What are DNA adducts?
Structural modifications to DNA resulting from covalent attachment of a chemical or its metabolite
How are DNA adducts measured?
ELISA (Enzyme Linked ImmunoSorbent Assay)
Using a radi`oimmune assay with highly specific antibodies
What are phytochelatins?
The equivalent of metalothioneins in plants
What plant biomarkers are used for organochlorines?
Pine needles
What is the ecological relevance of biomarkers related to?
their specificity
Why has organochlorine used declined?
Genetic resistance develops quickly
Highly persistent
Action of environmentalists
Large protests
