Poison - Cell Membrane, Biochemistry, Transport

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

Ahura Mazda - relief of the Zoroastrian god Ahura Mazda at the ancient ruins of Persepolis in Iran. Also known as Ormazd Zoroastrianism,

Which Religion Is the Oldest?

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

9 American Political Scandals

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

Why Is Christmas in December?

Coriander leaves, fresh green cilantro on wooden background, herbs

Why Does Cilantro Taste Like Soap to Some People?

9 of the World’s Deadliest Snakes

Facsimile of one of William Henry Ireland's forgeries, a primitive self-portrait of William Shakespeare(tinted engraving). Published for Samuel Ireland, Norfolk Street, Strand, December 1, 1795. (W.H. Ireland, forgery)

The Time a Law Clerk Successfully Forged a New Shakespeare Play to Impress His Dad

Srinivasa Ramanujan, Indian mathematician and autodidact.

6 Interesting Facts about Srinivasa Ramanujan

In order for a poison to produce toxicity, a sufficient quantity of that chemical must be absorbed into the body. Because the chemical must pass through a number of cell membranes before it can enter the blood, the ability of the chemical to cross these lipid-rich membranes determines whether it will be absorbed, and that ability depends on the chemical’s lipid solubility. The cell membrane, the most external layer of all animal cells, is composed of two layers of lipid molecules (the lipid bilayer). The lipid molecules each have a hydrophilic (water-loving, or polar) end and a hydrophobic (water-hating, or ...(100 of 17544 words)

Access the full article

Help support true facts by becoming a member.