Phar 428: Toxicology Exam Questions with Correct Answers

What is toxicology? Correct Answer The adverse effects of chemicals or any agents on the body What are the classifications of the different kinds of toxicology? Correct Answer -Descriptive toxicology (Explains what) -Mechanistic toxicology (Explains why) -Analytical toxicology (Explains how much) How do toxins/poisions work? Correct Answer -They work by changing the speed of different body functions: -Increasing them (such as sweating or heart rate) -Or decreasing them (slowing or stopping them all together such as breathing) What kind of effects can a toxicant/poison have on the body? Correct Answer -It depends on the specific mechanism of action -A toxicant/poison can have a widespread effect -Or may cause very limited change in the functioning in a particular region or organ How does parathion work to cause toxic effects on the body? Correct Answer -Parathion causes a simple inactivation of an enzyme which is involved in the communication between nerves (acetylcholinesterase) -However that enzyme is spread throughout the body and other various effects can occur other than just sweating What type of adverse effects can toxicity cause? Correct Answer -Slight symptoms such as headaches or nausea -To severe symptoms like coma, convulsions or death What are the two types of toxicity exposures related to time? Correct Answer -Acute toxicity, which is due to a short-term exposure and happens within a relatively short period of time -Chronic toxicity, which is due to long-term exposure and happens over a longer period What are the 3 types of toxic materials Correct Answer -Chemical agents poisons drugs/medications -Physical agents dust, fibers, heat, noise, corrosive -Biological agents pathogens How do toxicants enter organisms? Correct Answer -Inhalation (via mouth or nose to lungs) then into blood -Ingestion (mouth to stomach) then into blood