Toxicology Glossary

Adverse effects occurring within a short time (usually 24 hours) after a single exposure or multiple exposures to a substance.

A substance that counteracts or neutralizes the effects of a poison or toxin.

The progressive buildup of a substance in an organism's tissues over time.

The metabolic conversion of a substance into a more toxic or reactive form.

The increasing concentration of a persistent substance at higher levels of a food chain.

An agent capable of causing cancer by inducing genetic mutations or promoting uncontrolled cell growth.

The use of chemical agents to bind and remove heavy metals from the body.

Adverse effects resulting from repeated or long-term exposure to a substance over weeks, months, or years.

A superfamily of heme-containing enzymes responsible for the oxidative metabolism of most xenobiotics, primarily located in the liver.

A graphical representation of the relationship between the dose of a substance and the magnitude of the biological response.

The study of the effects of toxic substances on ecosystems, including organisms, populations, and communities.

The ability of a substance to damage DNA, potentially leading to mutations and cancer.

A tripeptide antioxidant critical for detoxifying reactive metabolites and protecting cells from oxidative damage.

The time required for the concentration of a substance in the body to decrease by half through metabolism and excretion.

Toxicity directed at the liver, the primary organ of xenobiotic metabolism.

A dose-response relationship where low doses stimulate and high doses inhibit biological activity.

The median lethal dose; the dose of a substance that kills 50% of a test population.

An agent that causes permanent changes (mutations) in the DNA sequence of an organism.

Toxicity directed at the kidneys, which can impair filtration, reabsorption, and secretion functions.

Adverse effects on the structure or function of the nervous system caused by exposure to a toxic substance.

No Observed Adverse Effect Level; the highest tested dose with no statistically significant adverse effects.

An agent that causes structural or functional abnormalities in a developing embryo or fetus.

The ratio between the toxic dose and the therapeutic dose of a drug, indicating its margin of safety.

The study of how genomes respond to toxic exposures, using genomic tools to predict toxicity and susceptibility.

Any chemical substance found within an organism that is not naturally produced by or expected to be present in that organism.