Toxicology: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 03:06, 28 March 2025

Toxicology is a scientific discipline, overlapping with biology, chemistry, pharmacology, and medicine, that involves the study of the adverse effects of chemical substances on living organisms and the practice of diagnosing and treating exposures to toxins and toxicants. The relationship between dose and its effects on the exposed organism is of high significance in toxicology. Factors that influence chemical toxicity include the dosage; the route of exposure; the species, age, sex, and environment.

History[edit]

The term "toxicology" comes from the ancient Greek words toxikon (poison for use on arrows) and logos (study). Toxicology as a distinct scientific discipline is relatively modern. However, the use of poisons and antidotes dates back to ancient times.

Branches[edit]

Toxicology can be split into various disciplines such as:

Toxicity[edit]

Toxicity can refer to the effect on a whole organism, such as an animal, bacterium, or plant, as well as the effect on a substructure of the organism, such as a cell (cytotoxicity) or an organ such as the liver (hepatotoxicity).

Dose-Response Relationships[edit]

The classic "dose makes the poison" concept is a fundamental hypothesis in toxicology. It means that a substance can produce harm only if it reaches a susceptible biological system in a sufficient concentration (dose).

Toxicants[edit]

Toxicants are substances that produce adverse biological effects. It may be a chemical substance produced artificially or a natural toxin.

References[edit]

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-== Toxicology ==
+'''Toxicology''' is a scientific discipline, overlapping with biology, chemistry, pharmacology, and medicine, that involves the study of the adverse effects of chemical substances on living organisms and the practice of diagnosing and treating exposures to toxins and toxicants. The relationship between dose and its effects on the exposed organism is of high significance in toxicology. Factors that influence chemical toxicity include the dosage; the route of exposure; the species, age, sex, and environment.
-[[File:Toxicology_Research_at_FDA_(NCTR_1193)_(6009043040).jpg|thumb|right|Research in toxicology at the FDA's National Center for Toxicological Research]]
-'''Toxicology''' is the scientific study of the adverse effects of chemical substances on living organisms and the practice of diagnosing and treating exposures to toxins and toxicants. It is a branch of biology, chemistry, and medicine.
 == History ==
-[[File:susruta-manuscript-folio.jpg|thumb|right|An ancient manuscript of Sushruta, an early figure in the history of toxicology]]
+The term "toxicology" comes from the ancient Greek words [[toxikon]] (poison for use on arrows) and [[logos]] (study). Toxicology as a distinct scientific discipline is relatively modern. However, the use of poisons and antidotes dates back to ancient times.
-The history of toxicology dates back to ancient times. The earliest known work on toxicology is attributed to [[Sushruta]], an ancient Indian physician who wrote about poisons and their antidotes. In the Western world, [[Paracelsus]] () is often considered the "father of toxicology" for his assertion that "the dose makes the poison," emphasizing the relationship between dose and effect.
-In the 19th century, [[Mathieu Joseph Bonaventure Orfila]] () advanced the field significantly. Orfila is often regarded as the modern founder of toxicology. He was a pioneer in the study of poisons and their effects on the human body, and he established toxicology as a distinct scientific discipline.
-[[File:Mathieu_Joseph_Bonaventure_Orfila.jpg|thumb|right|Mathieu Joseph Bonaventure Orfila, a key figure in the development of modern toxicology]]
+== Branches ==
-== Principles of Toxicology ==
+Toxicology can be split into various disciplines such as:
-Toxicology is based on several key principles:
+* [[Forensic toxicology]]
+* [[Clinical toxicology]]
+* [[Environmental toxicology]]
+* [[Industrial toxicology]]
+* [[Pharmaceutical toxicology]]
-* '''Dose-Response Relationship''': The effect of a substance is related to the dose. This principle is fundamental to understanding the toxicity of substances.
+== Toxicity ==
-* '''Exposure Assessment''': Evaluating the extent to which humans and the environment are exposed to chemicals.
-* '''Risk Assessment''': Determining the likelihood of adverse effects occurring under specific conditions of exposure.
-== Applications ==
+Toxicity can refer to the effect on a whole organism, such as an animal, bacterium, or plant, as well as the effect on a substructure of the organism, such as a cell (cytotoxicity) or an organ such as the liver (hepatotoxicity).
-Toxicology has numerous applications in various fields:
+== Dose-Response Relationships ==
-* '''Pharmaceuticals''': Assessing the safety and efficacy of new drugs.
+The classic "dose makes the poison" concept is a fundamental hypothesis in toxicology. It means that a substance can produce harm only if it reaches a susceptible biological system in a sufficient concentration (dose).
-* '''Environmental Science''': Studying the impact of pollutants on ecosystems.
-* '''Forensic Science''': Analyzing biological samples for the presence of toxins in legal investigations.
-== Modern Toxicology ==
+== Toxicants ==
-[[File:CDC_Division_of_Laboratory_Sciences_Brochure.pdf|thumb|right|Brochure from the CDC's Division of Laboratory Sciences, highlighting modern toxicological research]]
+Toxicants are substances that produce adverse biological effects. It may be a chemical substance produced artificially or a natural toxin.
-Today, toxicology is a multidisciplinary field that incorporates advances in molecular biology, chemistry, and computational sciences. Modern toxicologists use sophisticated techniques to study the mechanisms of toxicity and to develop safer chemicals and drugs.
+== See Also ==
-== Related Pages ==
+* [[Poison]]
+* [[Toxicity]]
-* [[Pharmacology]]
+* [[Toxicant]]
-* [[Environmental science]]
+* [[Toxicology testing]]
-* [[Forensic science]]
 == References ==
-* Klaassen, C. D. (Ed.). (2013). ''Casarett and Doull's Toxicology: The Basic Science of Poisons''. McGraw-Hill Education.
+<references />
-* Timbrell, J. A. (2008). ''Principles of Biochemical Toxicology''. CRC Press.
 [[Category:Toxicology]]
+[[Category:Medical specialties]]
+[[Category:Pharmacology]]
+[[Category:Chemistry]]
+[[Category:Biology]]
+{{stub}}