09-02-2013, 11:16 PM
Toxicology is a branch of chemistry, biology, and pharmacology dealing primarily with the study of the negative effects of chemicals on living organisms, especially people. Toxicology came from the Ancient Greek term toxicos meaning "poisonous". That is why it is a study referring to the detection, mechanisms, symptoms, and treatment of poisoning.
Toxicology started as far as the reign of Roman emperor Nero, where Greek physician, Dioscorides, made the initial attempt on plant classification with their therapeutic and toxic effects. Between the 9th and 10th century, a certain Ibn Wahshiya published the Book of Poisons. Around 1500s, Theophrastus Phillipus Auroleus Bombastus von Hohenheim was also referred with the same title. He was also known for his quote, "All things are poison and nothing is without poison; only the dose makes a thing not a poison."
In 1813, toxicology was further discussed, and the first who made a formal treatment became the father of it, Matheiu Orfila. It was during 1850 that the first recorded death caused by poison was recorded. The medium was said to be nicotine.
The United States Code Title 18 defines toxin as the "toxic material or product of plants, animals, microorganisms (including, but not limited to, bacteria, viruses, fungi, rickettsiae or protozoa), or infectious substances, or a recombinant or synthesized molecule, whatever their origin and method of production..."
Biotoxins are those of biological origin. They have two primary functions: a) Predation like wasp, jellyfish, scorpion, snake, spider, etc. and b) Defense like poison dart frog, wasp, honeybee, termite, ant, bee, etc.
Biotoxins have several types. These are:
a. Cyanotoxins - produced by a blue-green algae or also known as cyanobacteria.
b. Hemotoxins - pass through the bloodstream and target red blood cells.
c. Necrotoxins - destroy and cause death to cells they get to encounter
d. Neurotoxins - affect the organism's nervous system
e. Cytotoxins - do harm via cellular level either random or specific
f. Apitoxin - produces local inflammation and has anticoagulant effects
g. Mycotoxins - makes immune system disturbances and is caused by fungi or molds
Toxicology started as far as the reign of Roman emperor Nero, where Greek physician, Dioscorides, made the initial attempt on plant classification with their therapeutic and toxic effects. Between the 9th and 10th century, a certain Ibn Wahshiya published the Book of Poisons. Around 1500s, Theophrastus Phillipus Auroleus Bombastus von Hohenheim was also referred with the same title. He was also known for his quote, "All things are poison and nothing is without poison; only the dose makes a thing not a poison."
In 1813, toxicology was further discussed, and the first who made a formal treatment became the father of it, Matheiu Orfila. It was during 1850 that the first recorded death caused by poison was recorded. The medium was said to be nicotine.
The United States Code Title 18 defines toxin as the "toxic material or product of plants, animals, microorganisms (including, but not limited to, bacteria, viruses, fungi, rickettsiae or protozoa), or infectious substances, or a recombinant or synthesized molecule, whatever their origin and method of production..."
Biotoxins are those of biological origin. They have two primary functions: a) Predation like wasp, jellyfish, scorpion, snake, spider, etc. and b) Defense like poison dart frog, wasp, honeybee, termite, ant, bee, etc.
Biotoxins have several types. These are:
a. Cyanotoxins - produced by a blue-green algae or also known as cyanobacteria.
b. Hemotoxins - pass through the bloodstream and target red blood cells.
c. Necrotoxins - destroy and cause death to cells they get to encounter
d. Neurotoxins - affect the organism's nervous system
e. Cytotoxins - do harm via cellular level either random or specific
f. Apitoxin - produces local inflammation and has anticoagulant effects
g. Mycotoxins - makes immune system disturbances and is caused by fungi or molds
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