Module 11 text questions
FORENSIC SCIENCE II - UNIT THREE: TEXT QUESTIONS
REVIEW QUESTIONS
1. What is toxicology?
Toxicology is the study of substances that cause adverse effects in humans or other organisms.
2. Who was Mathieu Orfila?
Mathieu Orfila was a Spanish-born Chemist; he published one of the first written works dedicated to the topic of poisons and medications. He was known as the “Father of Toxicology” for his work in the area.
3. What is strychnine? What symptoms does it cause?
Strychnine is a poison that comes from the seeds of the strychnine tree. It is colorless. It can be inhaled, absorbed through mucus membranes or through consumption. It causes painful cramps and muscle contractions. They can resemble seizures.
4. What is percent saturation?
Percent saturation is the ratio of hemoglobin that has been combined with carbon monoxide in comparison to hemoglobin that has been combined with oxygen.
5. What is aconite? What symptoms does it produce?
Aconite is also sometimes known as women’s bane, wolfsbane, or monkshead, and it comes from the aconite plant. It causes muscle weakness, abnormal heart rhythm, and respiratory failure.
CRITICAL THINKING QUESTIONS
1. What characteristics do substances often have that make them attractive as a poison when someone wants to intentionally harm another person?
Some characteristics of substances that often make them attractive would be:
1. Odorless and colorless
2. Toxic or deadly – even in small doses or quantities
3. Easily administered
4. Easily found and accessible
5. Symptoms can mimic others illnesses or occur sometime after the poisoning
2. Describe three samples that can be used to test for poisons. What are the advantages and disadvantages of these samples?
Blood: this is the most useful toxicological samples. It is often best to take the blood away from the heart because it may have high levels of toxins that want reflect the amount of poison distributed throughout the body.
Organ tissue: toxic or
REVIEW QUESTIONS
1. What is toxicology?
Toxicology is the study of substances that cause adverse effects in humans or other organisms.
2. Who was Mathieu Orfila?
Mathieu Orfila was a Spanish-born Chemist; he published one of the first written works dedicated to the topic of poisons and medications. He was known as the “Father of Toxicology” for his work in the area.
3. What is strychnine? What symptoms does it cause?
Strychnine is a poison that comes from the seeds of the strychnine tree. It is colorless. It can be inhaled, absorbed through mucus membranes or through consumption. It causes painful cramps and muscle contractions. They can resemble seizures.
4. What is percent saturation?
Percent saturation is the ratio of hemoglobin that has been combined with carbon monoxide in comparison to hemoglobin that has been combined with oxygen.
5. What is aconite? What symptoms does it produce?
Aconite is also sometimes known as women’s bane, wolfsbane, or monkshead, and it comes from the aconite plant. It causes muscle weakness, abnormal heart rhythm, and respiratory failure.
CRITICAL THINKING QUESTIONS
1. What characteristics do substances often have that make them attractive as a poison when someone wants to intentionally harm another person?
Some characteristics of substances that often make them attractive would be:
1. Odorless and colorless
2. Toxic or deadly – even in small doses or quantities
3. Easily administered
4. Easily found and accessible
5. Symptoms can mimic others illnesses or occur sometime after the poisoning
2. Describe three samples that can be used to test for poisons. What are the advantages and disadvantages of these samples?
Blood: this is the most useful toxicological samples. It is often best to take the blood away from the heart because it may have high levels of toxins that want reflect the amount of poison distributed throughout the body.
Organ tissue: toxic or