Cytotoxicity
Cytotoxicity
Cytotoxicity (/ˌsaɪtoʊtɒkˈsɪsɪti/) is a term derived from the Greek words "kytos" meaning "cell" and "toxicity" meaning "poison". It refers to the quality of being toxic or harmful to cells.
Cytotoxicity is a crucial phenomenon studied in the field of Cell Biology and Immunology. It is often associated with certain Chemical Compounds and Biological Agents that can cause cell damage and cell death.
Etymology
The term "Cytotoxicity" is derived from the Greek words "kytos" meaning "cell" and "toxicity" meaning "poison". The term was first used in the mid-20th century to describe substances that were harmful to cells.
Types of Cytotoxicity
There are several types of cytotoxicity, including:
- Necrosis: This is a form of cell injury which results in the premature death of cells in living tissue.
- Apoptosis: Also known as programmed cell death, it involves a series of biochemical events leading to a characteristic cell morphology and death.
- Autophagy: This is a cellular process that involves the degradation of a cell's own components through the lysosomal machinery.
Cytotoxic Agents
Cytotoxic agents are substances that induce cytotoxicity. They are often used in Chemotherapy to kill or inhibit the growth of cells. Examples of cytotoxic agents include:
- Alkylating Agents: These are chemicals that donate an alkyl group to DNA, RNA, or proteins, causing damage and potentially cell death.
- Antimetabolites: These are substances that interfere with the normal metabolic pathways of cells, often by mimicking the structure of essential molecules.
- Topoisomerase Inhibitors: These are drugs that interfere with the action of topoisomerase enzymes, which are needed for DNA replication.
Measurement of Cytotoxicity
Cytotoxicity can be measured using various assays such as the MTT Assay, LDH Assay, and Trypan Blue Exclusion.
See Also
References
External Links
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Cytotoxicity
- Wikipedia's article - Cytotoxicity
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