Poison - Topical Skin, Biochemistry, Effects

poison

Table of Contents

Introduction
Nature of a toxic substance
- Definition of a poison
- Classification of a poison
  - Classification based on origin
  - Classification based on physical form
  - Classification based on chemical nature
  - Classification based on chemical activity
  - Other classifications
- Transport of chemicals through a cell membrane
- Conditions of exposure
  - Routes of exposure and absorption of chemicals
    - Injection
    - Ingestion
    - Topical (skin)
    - Inhalation
  - Frequency of exposure
  - Dose of exposure
- Distribution of toxicants in the body
  - Role of the lymphatics
  - Role of the blood
  - Role of tissue blood flow
  - Role of protein binding
  - Role of distribution barriers
- Elimination of toxicants
  - Excretion
  - Biotransformation
- Therapeutic, toxic, and lethal responses
  - Morphological versus functional toxic responses
  - Local versus systemic toxic responses
  - Immediate versus delayed toxic responses
  - Reversible versus irreversible toxic responses
  - Chemically induced immune responses
    - Cellular and humoral immunities
    - Allergies
- Teratogenesis
- Carcinogenesis
- Mutagenesis
Types of poison
- Agricultural and industrial chemicals
  - Agricultural chemicals
    - Insecticides
    - Herbicides
    - Rodenticides
    - Plant growth regulator
  - Industrial chemicals
    - Organic compounds
    - Inorganic compounds
  - General air pollutants
- Drugs and health care products
  - Painkillers
  - Tranquilizers and sleeping pills
  - Antipsychotic drugs
  - Cold medications
  - Antiseptics
  - Vitamins and iron pills
  - Antidepressants
  - Drugs of abuse
  - Cardiovascular drugs
  - Antiasthmatics
- Poisons of biological origin
  - Importance to humans
  - Microbial toxins
    - Moneran toxins
    - Mycotoxins
    - Protistan poisons
  - Plant poisons (phytotoxins)
  - Animal poisons (zootoxins)
- Radiation
  - Radiation, radioactivity, and radioisotopes
  - Ionizing radiation
    - Radiation sources
    - Adverse effects of ionizing radiation
    - Toxicities of whole-body ionizing radiation
    - Local toxicities of common beta-particle emitters
    - Local toxicities of common alpha-particle emitters
  - Nonionizing radiation
    - Ultraviolet radiation
    - Infrared radiation and microwaves
    - Lasers

References & Edit History Quick Facts & Related Topics

Images & Videos

Learn why the presence of Theobromine molecule in chocolates is toxic to dogs

absorption, distribution, and excretion of toxicants

Ask an expert: What makes something poisonous?

How new beaver dams might damage the environment

For Students

poison summary

Read Next

Female meadow adder snake (Vipera ursinii) Also called meadow viper or Ursini's viper. Reptile venomous poisonous tongue

What’s the Difference Between Venomous and Poisonous?

Urtica dioica, often called common nettle or stinging nettle

7 Dangerous Plants You Should Never Touch

Young sportswoman resting after running, sweat

Can You Really Sweat Out Toxins?

Discover

Ice Sledge Hockey, Hockey Canada Cup, USA (left) vs Canada, 2009. UBC Thunderbird Arena, Vancouver, BC, competition site for Olympic ice hockey and Paralympic ice sledge hockey. Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, Vancouver Olympics

10 Best Hockey Players of All Time

What's the Difference Between a Solstice and an Equinox?

Watergate scandal. Richard M. Nixon. President Nixon gives a press conference and talks to the press, March 12, 1971.

9 American Political Scandals

Four year old boy with grandfather and father lighting Hanukkah menorah. Photo taken on: December 21st, 2009

Which Is Correct: Hanukkah or Chanukah?

Scottish fold cat. A genetic mutation caused (in the original cat-1961) the ears to bend forward and down.

Shorthair Cat Breeds

Orange basketball on black background and with low key lighting. Homepage 2010, arts and entertainment, history and society

The 10 Greatest Basketball Players of All Time

Nativity Scene, Adoration of the Magi, Church of the Birth of the Virgin Mary, Montenegro

Why Is Christmas in December?

The skin is composed of three layers of tissues—the epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous tissues—and is an effective barrier to many substances. The outer skin layer is the epidermis, containing five layers of cells. The stratum corneum, which is the outermost epidermal layer, consists of dead cells and is the major barrier to chemical transfer through the skin. Although nonpolar chemicals cross the skin by diffusion through the stratum corneum, no active transport exists in the dead cells of this layer. The second layer, the dermis, is thicker and is composed of loosely packed connective tissue cells in a watery matrix ...(100 of 17544 words)

Access the full article

Help support true facts by becoming a member.