Scientific study requires a basic knowledge and understanding of ideas and concepts. This collection explains the ideas that are fundamental to Toxins.
Everything you can breathe, see, ingest or touch is made up of chemicals. All matter, including us, is made of chemicals. Chemistry is the study of the composition, structure, properties and reactions of matter.
Poisons are substances that cause harm to organisms when sufficient quantities are absorbed, inhaled or ingested. A toxin is a poisonous substance produced within living cells or organisms.
Are all chemicals poisons? It depends on a number of things – most importantly, the amount of the substance received. It’s the dose that makes the poison.
Toxicity can be measured by the effect the substance has on an organism, a tissue or a cell. Methods are continually being revised for identifying toxins and levels of toxins.
Food webs describe the feeding connections between organisms in an ecosystem. Food webs also explain how toxins can move from one organism to another.
Javascript must be enabled on your browser to access and use the connections site view.
Science Learning Hub ©2007-2013 The University of Waikato
