PRINCIPLES OF TOXICOLOGY

562 GLOSSARY
erythropoietic stimulating factor (ESF) A factor or substance that stimulates the production of
erythrocytes; may be the same as erythropoietin.
erythropoietin A protein that enhances erythropoiesis.
ester A compound formed from an alcohol and an acid by removal of water.
esterase Any of various enzymes that catalyze the hydrolysis of an ester.
ether A colorless, transparent, mobile, very volatile liquid, highly inflammable, and with a characteristic
odor; many ethers are used by inhalation as general anesthetics; the usual anesthetic forms
are diethyl ether or ethyl ether.
excretion The process whereby materials are removed from the body to the external environment.
If a chemical is in solution as a gas at body temperature, it will appear in the air expired from the
animal; if it is a nonvolatile substance, it may be eliminated by the kidney via the urinary system,
or it may be chemically altered by the animal and then excreted by means of any of the mechanisms
available to the animal, such as excretion in the urine, in the sweat, or in the saliva. See elimination.
fibrosis The formation of excessive fibrous tissue, as in a reparative or reactive process.
follicle-stimulating hormone One of the gonadotropic hormones of the anterior pituitary, which
stimulates the growth and maturation of graafian follicles in the ovary, and stimulates spermatogenesis
in the male.
forensic toxicology The medical aspects of the diagnosis and treatment of poisoning and the legal
aspects of the relationships between exposure to and harmful effects of a chemical substance. It is
concerned with both intentional and accidental exposures to chemicals.
gastric lavage The process of washing out the stomach with saline solution using a lavage tube, to
remove poisons taken orally.
gastritis Inflammation of the stomach.
gene The basic unit of inheritance, recognized through its variant alleles; a segment of DNA coding
a designated function (or related functions).
genotoxicity A measure of the potency of adverse effect of a substance directly of DNA.
genotype The entire allelic composition of an individual (or genome), or of a certain gene or set of
genes.
germ cell An ovum or a sperm cell of one of its developmental precursors.
gingivitis Inflammation of the gums of the mouth.
glutathione A naturally occurring tripeptide, serving as a biological redox agent or substrate for
certain conjugation reactions in chemical metabolism.
glycoside Any of a group of organic compounds, occurring abundantly in plants, that yield a sugar
and one or more nonsugar substances on hydrolysis.
gonadotropin A hormone that stimulates the growth and activity of the gonads, especially any of
several pituitary hormones that stimulate the function of the ovaries and testes.
granulocyte Any cell containing granules, especially a leukocyte containing neutrophil, basophil,
or eosinophil granules in its cytoplasm.
halogenation The incorporation of one of the halogen elements, usually chlorine or bromine, into a
chemical compound.
heinz body Microscopic bodies noted in red blood cells with enzyme deficiencies, identified as either
cholesterinolein-based or as dead cytoplasm resulting from oxidative injury to and precipitation of
hemoglobin.
hematopoietic Pertaining to or affecting the formation of blood cells; an agent that promotes the
formation of blood cells.
hematuria Blood in the urine.
hemolytic Pertaining to, characterized by, or producing hemolysis. The liberation of hemoglobin;
the separation of hemoglobin from the red cells and its appearance in the plasma.