Target Organs Flashcards
What personal variables affect the bodies response to toxins?
Age
Sex
Underlying illness
Medication
Alcohol
Smoking
Genetics
What are types of health affects caused by toxins?
Asphyxiation
Irritation
Narcosis
Systemic toxicity
Reproductive effects
Genotoxicity
Carcinogenicity
Benign tumour
Malignant tumour
Sensitisation
What are the main target organs and systems of toxins?
Circulatory system (blood)
Liver
Kidneys
Lungs
Nervous system
Skin
What makes the respiratory system susceptible to damage?
Rapid gas exchange
High surface area
Sensitivity of mucosal tissue
How can the lung remove toxins?
Expelling them through exhalation or mucociliary escalator and swallowing / coughing
Absorption into blood stream
What affects the depth of penetration of toxins into the lungs?
Size of particles
<10 microns can reach deep into the lungs
Particules of approx 5 microns can reach the alveoli
What are the key health effects that occur in the lungs?
Irritation
Pneumoconiosis
Emphysema
Lung cancer
Rhinitis
Occupational asthma
Extrinsic allergic alveolitis
Byssinosis
What 2 areas of the nervous system can be affected by neurotoxins?
The central nervous system
The peripheral nervous system
What does the central nervous system consist of?
The brain and spinal chord
What does the peripheral nervous system consist of and do?
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
What are the main effects of neurotoxins?
Impact transmission channels
May cause stimulation
Binds neurotransmitter receptor sites
Inhibits neurotransmitter enzymes
Damages myelin sheath
Causes morphological damage
Necrosis
What are the physiological functions of skin?
Temperature regulation
Protection from mechanical shocks (physical impact)
UV light protection
Reduced moisture loss from underlying tissue
What are the skins defence mechanisms against bacteria?
Natural bacteria destroys pathogens
Dry environment
Slightly acidic
Bactericidal oils
What are the skins defence mechanisms against UV?
Pigmentation
Thickening
What are the 2 main types of chemical hazards to skin?
Contact irritants
Allergic sensitisers
What are chemical affects on the skin?
Irritation
Allergen sensitisation
Stimulation of tumour growth
Oil removal
Erosion of epidermis
What are types of mechanical erosion to the skin?
Friction (blisters and calluses)
Laceration
Puncture
Tearing
What are physical non-mechanical causes of skin disease?
Hot and cold injuries
Radiation
What are biological causes of skin disease?
Bacteria
Viruses
Fungi
Parasites
What is haemotoxicity?
Impairment of the number or function of blood cells
What type of blood cell is an erythrocyte?
Haemoglobin cell carrying o2 and co2
What type of blood cell is a leukocyte?
White blood cell that forms part of the body’s defences
What type of blood cell is a thrombocyte?
A disc shaped platelet forming part of the clotting mechanism
Toxic effect in blood cells can cause what diseases?
Anaemia
Leukaemia
Haemolysis
Carboxyhemoglobin formation
What is Anaemia?
Reduction of haemoglobin in blood
What is Leukaemia?
Abnormal white blood cells produced in large numbers
What is Methaemoglobin formation?
Haemoglobin with no oxygen carrying capacity
What is Haemolysis?
Breakdown and destruction of red blood cells. Can lead to kidneys being overloaded.
What is Carboxyhaemoglobin formation?
Carbon monoxide binding tightly to the haemoglobin preventing normal oxygen uptake.
What are the main functions of the liver?
Detoxification
Biotransformation
Biosynthesis
Nutrient storage
Bile production
What are common toxic effects on the liver?
Enzyme inhibition or stimulation
Necrosis
Cirrhosis
Fibrosis
Hepatitis
Fatty liver
Bile flow interrupted
What are the main functions of the kidneys?
Detoxification by filtering waste products from body into urine
Maintain levels of essential chemical substances in the body
What makes the kidneys vulnerable to toxins?
It is a route of excretion for water soluble toxins and their metabolites
High blood flow
What are common toxin effects on the kidneys?
Nephritis
Impairment of tubular re-absorption
Water, electrolyte and nutrients imbalance
