1. What is toxicological chemistry, and what does it address?
Toxicological chemistry is the branch of science that studies the chemical nature, reactivity,
origin, uses, and exposure of toxic substances. It also examines the relationship between the
chemical properties and molecular structures of substances and their toxicological effects. It
considers factors like exposure, fate, and disposal of toxicants.
2. What factors influence the toxicity of a substance?
Several variables affect toxicity:
Dose: The amount of toxicant.
Concentration: The toxicant's concentration in a medium or matrix.
Duration and Frequency: How long and how often exposure occurs.
Rate and Total Time of Exposure: Speed and extent of exposure.
Exposure Route and Site: How and where the toxicant enters the body.
3. How are toxic exposures categorized?
Local Exposure: Effects occur at a specific location like skin, eyes, or mucous
membranes.
o Acute Local: Occurs within seconds to hours.
o Chronic Local: Occurs over a longer period.
Systemic Exposure: Affects other parts of the body.
o Acute Systemic: Short-term impact on remote body parts.
o Chronic Systemic: Long-term exposure.
4. What are synergism, potentiation, and antagonism in toxicology?
Synergism: Combined toxicants cause a greater effect than their individual effects
added together.
Potentiation: An inactive toxicant enhances the toxicity of an active one.
Antagonism: One toxicant decreases the effect of another.
5. What is the dose-response relationship?
The dose-response (D-R) relationship explains how the toxicity of a toxicant varies with the
dose. Key elements include:
Dose: Amount of toxicant per body weight.
Response: Effect on the organism (lethal or sublethal).
LD50: The dose that kills 50% of test organisms.
6. What are Phase I and Phase II reactions in xenobiotic metabolism?
Phase I Reactions: Modify lipophilic xenobiotics to make them more water-soluble by
adding polar functional groups (e.g., OH-).
Phase II Reactions: Conjugate Phase I metabolites with endogenous substances (e.g.,
glucuronide, sulfate) to produce less toxic, water-soluble products for excretion.
7. What is genetic toxicity, and how does it occur?
Genetic toxicity results from DNA damage and altered genetic expression, causing mutations.
Types of genetic changes include:
Gene Mutation: Change in DNA sequence.
Chromosomal Aberrations: Structural changes in chromosomes.
Aneuploidy or Polyploidy: Changes in chromosome number.
8. What are teratogens and their mechanisms?
Teratogens are chemical agents causing birth defects by damaging embryonic or fetal cells or
causing mutations in germ cells. Mechanisms include:
Enzyme inhibition by xenobiotics.
Deprivation of essential substances (e.g., vitamins).
Interference with energy supply.
9. What is the impact of toxic chemicals on enzymes?
Toxic chemicals, such as Cd²⁺ and Pb²⁺, inhibit enzyme function by attacking active sites,
particularly those with SH groups. For example:
Cd²⁺ replaces Zn²⁺ in metalloenzymes, leading to enzyme inhibition and potential
carcinogenicity.
10. What are the environmental and biological impacts of substances like PCBs and
DDT?
PCBs: Found in water and soil; persistent due to high stability. Degradation involves
aerobic and anaerobic bacteria.
DDT: Persistent in the environment, affects bird populations by reducing reproduction;
banned in many countries but residues persist.
