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Marine Ecotoxicology > Munari week 2 > Flashcards

Munari week 2 Flashcards

1
Q

What are biomarkers?

A

Measurable indicators used to assess biological, physiological, or pathogenic processes, as well as responses to environmental stressors.

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2
Q

What is the role of biomarkers in ecotoxicology?

A

Biomarkers assess the impairment of physiological or cellular functioning and help detect how organisms respond to contaminants.

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3
Q

Define biomarkers in ecotoxicology.

A

Indicators used to assess the effects of pollutants on the health of organisms and ecosystems.

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4
Q

Why are biomarkers important for environmental monitoring?

A

They allow early detection of stress, enabling preventive ecological risk assessments for public health and conservation.

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5
Q

What are biomarkers of exposure?

A

Indicators that show an organism has been in contact with a specific contaminant or environmental stressor.

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6
Q

Provide an example of a biomarker of exposure.

A

A chemical compound detected in an organism’s tissue indicating exposure to a pollutant.

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7
Q

What are biomarkers of effect?

A

Indicators that demonstrate biological changes or adverse effects due to exposure to a contaminant.

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8
Q

Give an example of a biomarker of effect.

A

An increase in an organism’s respiration rate due to environmental stress.

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9
Q

What are specific biomarkers?

A

Biomarkers that provide targeted responses to particular stressors, such as certain metals or pollutants.

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10
Q

Provide an example of a specific biomarker.

A

Specific responses to heavy metals like lead or cadmium.

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11
Q

What are generic biomarkers?

A

Indicators of stress or damage without specifying a particular pollutant or stressor source.

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12
Q

Give an example of a generic biomarker

A

General oxidative stress markers indicating damage due to various ROS or environmental stressors.

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13
Q
A
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14
Q

What is the role of biotransformation enzymes?

A

They detoxify pollutants by breaking them down into more manageable compounds.

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15
Q

What are Phase I enzymes?

A

Enzymes that initiate biotransformation by adding or exposing reactive groups on lipophilic chemicals to make them more soluble.

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16
Q

What are Phase II enzymes?

A

Enzymes that complete the biotransformation process by conjugating modified compounds with other molecules for excretion.

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17
Q

What are reactive oxygen species (ROS)?

A

Chemically reactive molecules containing oxygen that can cause significant structural changes in DNA, proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates.

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18
Q

What are the effects of ROS on cells?

A

Oxidation of biomolecules, leading to mutations, structural damage, and potential cell death.

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19
Q

Which enzymes neutralize ROS?

A

Superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, and glutathione peroxidase.

20
Q

What is lipid peroxidation (LPO)?

A

The oxidative degradation of lipids, primarily affecting cell membranes.

21
Q

What causes lipid peroxidation?

A

Hydroxyl radicals that attack unsaturated lipids in cell membranes.

22
Q

What are the consequences of lipid peroxidation?

A

Membrane instability, increased permeability, and eventual cell damage.

23
Q

What do immunological parameters measure in ecotoxicology?

A

The immune response of organisms under contaminant exposure.

24
Q

Why are immunomarkers used?

A
  • Predict immune responses.
  • Assess ecological risks.
  • Support public health assessments.
25
Q

What is the difference between vertebrate and invertebrate immune systems?

A
  • Invertebrates: Only have innate immunity.
  • Vertebrates: Have both innate and adaptive immunity.
26
Q

What are hemocytes and hemolymph?

A
  • Hemocytes: Immune cells in invertebrates.
  • Hemolymph: Circulatory fluid equivalent to blood in invertebrates.
27
Q

How are hemocytes used in ecotoxicology?

A

They serve as immunomarkers indicating how contaminants affect immune defense.

28
Q

What is an in vitro assay?

A

A test performed outside the organism using cell cultures.

29
Q

What is an in vivo assay?

A

A test performed on live organisms, assessing effects on immune defenses rather than direct immune responses.

30
Q

What is the purpose of ROS testing in cellular studies?

A

To assess oxidative stress and determine membrane stability.

31
Q

How does lysozyme activity indicate membrane stability?

A

High lysozyme levels outside cells indicate membrane damage.

32
Q

What is the Neutral Red Assay (NRA)?

A

A test that evaluates cell membrane integrity by measuring the retention of the neutral red dye in lysosomes.

33
Q

What is vitellogenin, and why is it used as a biomarker?

A

A precursor to egg yolk proteins, used to detect endocrine disruption when present in males or juveniles.

34
Q

What is an intersex condition?

A

A condition where organisms develop both male and female traits due to endocrine disruption.

35
Q

What do ELS tests assess?

A

The effects of contaminants on fertilization, larval development, and juvenile growth.

36
Q

Why are sea urchins commonly used in biomarker studies?

A

They are sensitive to environmental stressors and show measurable developmental responses to pollutants

37
Q

What role do primary producers play in marine ecosystems?

A

They stabilize habitats, enhance resilience, and buffer against environmental stressors

38
Q

How do primary producers buffer marine ecosystems against stressors?

A

By enhancing oxygen levels and providing structural support.

39
Q

What are the main stressors affecting the Mediterranean Sea?

A
  • Overfishing
  • Climate change
  • Pollution
  • Habitat degradation
40
Q

What is the ABBaCo project?

A

A project aimed at restoring the Bay of Bagnoli-Coroglio through passive and active restoration

41
Q

What is the AFRIMED project?

A

A restoration project for degraded macroalgal forests like Cystoseira in the Mediterranean.

42
Q

How do photosynthetic organisms contribute to resilience?

A

They act as carbon sinks, produce oxygen, and provide shelter for marine species.

43
Q

How were buffer effects studied in the Porto Cesareo Marine Protected Area?

A

By collecting G. barbata samples and exposing them to normoxic and hyperoxic conditions under controlled temperature increases.

44
Q

What were the findings regarding oxygen supersaturation?

A

It increased thermal tolerance in marine organisms by raising their lethal temperature by 1–4°C.

45
Q

How can the findings on primary producers inform conservation strategies?

A

By supporting the protection and restoration of habitats to enhance biodiversity resilience against climate change

Marine Ecotoxicology (6 decks)

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