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Introduction to Toxicology
EV 460/660 & BI 460/660
Fall 2014
Study Guide for Third Exam – Part 1
Toxic Effects on the Cardiovascular System
Toxic Effects on the Blood (hematotoxicity)
1.
What is the primary site of hematopoiesis? What is the pluripotent stem cell? What are poietins (colonystimulating factors)?
2.
What are the primary functions of RBCs, WBCs, and platelets?
3.
Describe the meaning of the suffixes, “-cytosis” and “-penia” as they apply to the formed elements of blood.
4.
Define the following terms: granulocytopenia, thrombocytopenia, and pancytopenia. What is the site of action of
toxicants producing these effects? Name several toxicants that produce pancytopenia.
5.
Provide a general definition of the term anemia. Name several causes of anemia (e.g., nutritional, hereditary,
etc.). What are the two major types of defects resulting in anemia’s (e.g., RBCs and hemoglobin).
6.
Describe RBC number as a balance between rate of production and rate of destruction.
7.
Describe two types of toxicant-induced decreases in rate of RBC production (e.g., aplastic anemia and
nephrotoxic-induced anemia). Name a toxicant responsible for aplastic anemia and a toxicant responsible
nephrotoxic-induced anemia.
8.
What is hemolysis? Name a toxicant responsible for hemolytic effects.
9.
Name a toxicant responsible for a decrease in RBC life span.
10.
Name a toxicant responsible for impaired hemoglobin synthesis.
11.
Provide a general definition of the term hypoxia.
12.
Briefly describe how hypoxia may be secondary to cardiovascular, pulmonary, or neural pathophysiology.
13.
Describe two general types of chemically induced hypoxia (e.g., cellular O 2 utilization and hematotoxic effect).
14.
Name a toxicant that impairs cellular O2 utilization and briefly describe its mechanism of action.
15.
Name two toxicants that impair O2 transport by hemoglobin. What is carboxyhemoglobin? What is
methemoglobin?
Toxic Effects on the Heart (cardiototoxicity)
16.
Briefly describe the trilaminar structure of the heart. Briefly describe the roles of Na +, K+, and Ca2+ in cardiac cell
excitation and contraction. Briefly describe the intrinsic pacemaker system of the heart. Briefly describe the
influences of sympathetic control, parasympathetic control, and peripheral baroreceptors on the heart.
17.
Name several types of direct toxic effects on the heart (e.g., altered membrane excitability, impaired cellular
energy metabolism, etc.)
18.
Name and briefly describe several secondary negative impacts of decreased cardiac function due to toxic insult.
19.
Name three general classes of cardiotoxic compounds and provide several examples of each class.
20.
Name and briefly describe the three major types of toxic effects on the heart (e.g., arrhythmias, altered
contractility, and cardiac myopathy).
21.
Briefly define the following terms: arrhythmia, tachycardia, bradycardia, fibrillation, ectopic beats, and congestive
heart failure.
Toxic Effects on Blood Vessels (vasculotoxicity)
22.
Describe the trilaminar structure of arteries and veins, including the composition of the tunics. Describe the
relationship between pressure, flow, and resistance. Describe the importance of vessel radius in determining
blood flow. Describe the following terms: vasodilation, vasoconstriction, hypertension, and hypotension.
23.
Briefly describe atherosclerosis as a progressive, degenerative process. Briefly describe the composition of
atherosclerotic plaques.
24.
Which blood vessels are typically most affected by atherosclerosis? Describe the effects of plaque build up on
blood flow, blood pressure, and the risk of blood clots.
25.
Briefly describe risk factors for the development of atherosclerosis. Briefly describe potential adverse effects of
atherosclerosis.
26.
Describe two hypotheses for the mechanism of action of toxicants that result in development of atherosclerosis.
27.
Name several toxicants that have been associated with development of atherosclerosis.
28.
Briefly describe indirect, non-cardiovascular effects of poisons on blood pressure/volume.
29.
Briefly describe indirect, cardiotoxic effects on blood pressure.
30.
Briefly describe the action of nitrates in producing hypotension. Briefly describe the multiple
mechanisms of cadmium-induced hypertension.