Pollutant types, dose-response concepts, and human health impacts as tested on AP Environmental Science. Front: the term or concept. Back: a plain-language definition.
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- Toxicology
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The study of the harmful effects of substances on living organisms and ecosystems.- Dose
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The amount of a substance that an organism is exposed to or receives.- LD50 (lethal dose 50)
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The dose of a substance that is lethal to 50 percent of a test population under standardized conditions.- Dose-response relationship
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The correlation between the amount of exposure to a substance and the magnitude of the biological response or effect.- Acute toxicity
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Harmful effects that appear rapidly after a single or brief exposure to a substance.- Chronic toxicity
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Harmful effects that develop slowly from long-term or repeated exposure to a substance.- Threshold dose
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The minimum amount of a substance required to produce a detectable toxic effect in an organism.- NOAEL (no observed adverse effect level)
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The highest dose of a substance at which no toxic effects are detected in a test population.- Bioaccumulation
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The buildup of a toxic substance inside an organism over time as intake exceeds elimination.- Persistent organic pollutant (POP)
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A toxic chemical that resists environmental breakdown and bioaccumulates in organisms and ecosystems.- Heavy metal
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A dense toxic element, such as mercury, lead, or cadmium, that often bioaccumulates in organisms.- PCB (polychlorinated biphenyl)
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A synthetic chemical formerly used in electrical equipment that persists in the environment and bioaccumulates in food chains.- DDT (dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane)
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A persistent pesticide that bioaccumulates and biomagnifies, now restricted in many countries due to environmental harm.- Lead
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A heavy metal that damages the nervous system, particularly in children, and was historically used in paint and gasoline.- Mercury
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A toxic heavy metal that transforms into methylmercury in aquatic systems and bioaccumulates in fish.
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