Toxicology is the study of the effects of physical agents or chemicals on living organisms. It began with cave dwellers using poisonous plants for hunting and warfare. Xenobiotics are foreign substances introduced into the body that can produce toxic effects or benefits. Toxic agents can be biological, physical, or chemical, and their effects are complex and selective. The dosage, age, and ability to absorb into the body are important factors in toxicology.
The definition of toxicology is “the science of poisons”. It is the study of the opposing effects of physical agents or chemicals on living organisms. As toxicology is an ever-evolving medical science, so is our understanding of the science. Knowledge of the negative effects of toxic agents on the body is advancing with medical knowledge.
Toxicology began with cave dwellers. They used extracts of poisonous plants for hunting and warfare. Throughout history, hemlock, opium, arrow poisons, and some metals have been used to poison enemies.
Famous poisoning victims include Claudius, Cleopatra and Socrates. The founder of toxicology is thought to have been a Spanish physician named Orifila. He demonstrated the effects of poisons on organs and associated tissue damage.
Xenobiotic is a term used to describe foreign substances introduced into the body. The word comes from the Greek xeno, which means “foreigner”. Xenobiotics not only produce toxic effects, but can also produce benefits as in the case of drugs. While high doses of some toxins in the body can lead to death, smaller doses can be harmless or even beneficial. This is known as a dose-response relationship, an important concept in toxicology.
A toxic agent can be in a biological, physical or chemical form. An example of a chemical toxin is cyanide, while a biological toxin might be snake venom and a physical toxin might be radiation. Scientists who study and determine the effects of toxicology are called toxicologists.
The effects of toxicity are complex, with many influencing factors. The dosage of the toxin is extremely important. Some chemicals, for example, are inherently toxic. Others are non-toxic until absorbed and chemically changed within the body. Many toxins only affect specific organs. Others, once absorbed, can damage any tissue or cell they come into contact with.
Toxicology is also selective. Toxins can harm different species. Antibiotics are practically nontoxic to humans, but are selectively toxic to microorganisms. The insecticide is a lethal toxin to insects but is relatively non-toxic to animals. Age is also a very important factor in the negative effects of toxins on the body. Some toxins can be more harmful to young children and the elderly than to adults.
The ability of a substance to absorb into the body is also an important factor in toxicology. Almost all alcohol is easily absorbed when ingested. The toxins in red wine are thought to have beneficial aspects when taken in moderation, but when taken in large quantities they can become harmful and lead to alcohol intoxication. You may end up needing the toxic properties of an aspirin to help soothe a headache from the toxic effects of your wine.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
