Target Organs Flashcards

1
Q

What personal variables affect the bodies response to toxins?

A

Age
Sex
Underlying illness
Medication
Alcohol
Smoking
Genetics

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2
Q

What are types of health affects caused by toxins?

A

Asphyxiation
Irritation
Narcosis
Systemic toxicity
Reproductive effects
Genotoxicity
Carcinogenicity
Benign tumour
Malignant tumour
Sensitisation

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3
Q

What are the main target organs and systems of toxins?

A

Circulatory system (blood)
Liver
Kidneys
Lungs
Nervous system
Skin

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4
Q

What makes the respiratory system susceptible to damage?

A

Rapid gas exchange
High surface area
Sensitivity of mucosal tissue

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5
Q

How can the lung remove toxins?

A

Expelling them through exhalation or mucociliary escalator and swallowing / coughing

Absorption into blood stream

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6
Q

What affects the depth of penetration of toxins into the lungs?

A

Size of particles

<10 microns can reach deep into the lungs

Particules of approx 5 microns can reach the alveoli

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7
Q

What are the key health effects that occur in the lungs?

A

Irritation
Pneumoconiosis
Emphysema
Lung cancer
Rhinitis
Occupational asthma
Extrinsic allergic alveolitis
Byssinosis

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8
Q

What 2 areas of the nervous system can be affected by neurotoxins?

A

The central nervous system
The peripheral nervous system

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9
Q

What does the central nervous system consist of?

A

The brain and spinal chord

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10
Q

What does the peripheral nervous system consist of and do?

A

It consists of nerves/neurons that branch off from the spinal cord and extend to all parts of the body

It controls the sensory and motor systems

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11
Q

What are the main effects of neurotoxins?

A

Impact transmission channels

May cause stimulation

Binds neurotransmitter receptor sites

Inhibits neurotransmitter enzymes

Damages myelin sheath

Causes morphological damage

Necrosis

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12
Q

What are the physiological functions of skin?

A

Temperature regulation

Protection from mechanical shocks (physical impact)

UV light protection

Reduced moisture loss from underlying tissue

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13
Q

What are the skins defence mechanisms against bacteria?

A

Natural bacteria destroys pathogens

Dry environment

Slightly acidic

Bactericidal oils

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14
Q

What are the skins defence mechanisms against UV?

A

Pigmentation
Thickening

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15
Q

What are the 2 main types of chemical hazards to skin?

A

Contact irritants
Allergic sensitisers

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16
Q

What are chemical affects on the skin?

A

Irritation
Allergen sensitisation
Stimulation of tumour growth
Oil removal
Erosion of epidermis

17
Q

What are types of mechanical erosion to the skin?

A

Friction (blisters and calluses)
Laceration
Puncture
Tearing

18
Q

What are physical non-mechanical causes of skin disease?

A

Hot and cold injuries
Radiation

19
Q

What are biological causes of skin disease?

A

Bacteria
Viruses
Fungi
Parasites

20
Q

What is haemotoxicity?

A

Impairment of the number or function of blood cells

21
Q

What type of blood cell is an erythrocyte?

A

Haemoglobin cell carrying o2 and co2

22
Q

What type of blood cell is a leukocyte?

A

White blood cell that forms part of the body’s defences

23
Q

What type of blood cell is a thrombocyte?

A

A disc shaped platelet forming part of the clotting mechanism

24
Q

Toxic effect in blood cells can cause what diseases?

A

Anaemia

Leukaemia

Haemolysis

Carboxyhemoglobin formation

25
Q

What is Anaemia?

A

Reduction of haemoglobin in blood

26
Q

What is Leukaemia?

A

Abnormal white blood cells produced in large numbers

27
Q

What is Methaemoglobin formation?

A

Haemoglobin with no oxygen carrying capacity

28
Q

What is Haemolysis?

A

Breakdown and destruction of red blood cells. Can lead to kidneys being overloaded.

29
Q

What is Carboxyhaemoglobin formation?

A

Carbon monoxide binding tightly to the haemoglobin preventing normal oxygen uptake.

30
Q

What are the main functions of the liver?

A

Detoxification
Biotransformation
Biosynthesis
Nutrient storage
Bile production

31
Q

What are common toxic effects on the liver?

A

Enzyme inhibition or stimulation
Necrosis
Cirrhosis
Fibrosis
Hepatitis
Fatty liver
Bile flow interrupted

32
Q

What are the main functions of the kidneys?

A

Detoxification by filtering waste products from body into urine

Maintain levels of essential chemical substances in the body

33
Q

What makes the kidneys vulnerable to toxins?

A

It is a route of excretion for water soluble toxins and their metabolites

High blood flow

34
Q

What are common toxin effects on the kidneys?

A

Nephritis

Impairment of tubular re-absorption

Water, electrolyte and nutrients imbalance