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 Preface

The goal of this book is to provide comprehensive multiple choice

questions from the field of toxicological science. It also includes an
intention to provide a brain storming session for the individuals
associated with toxicology. The present book “A Handbook of MCQs in
Toxicology” is targeted towards students and general audiences. This
book provides an ample number of toxicological questions for the
students preparing for their examinations or simply for testing and
practicing knowledge of toxicology. The book will also help those who
want to improve their toxicological knowledge in a smaller amount of
time. With the best wishes this book is presented to those interested in
toxicology.

Wajhul Qamar, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor
Research Center,
College of Pharmacy
King Saud University
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Dedicated to my family
"All substances are poisons: there is none which is not a
poison. The right dose differentiates a poison and a
remedy."

Paracelsus (1493-1541)
Introduction

Every living entity has an interaction with other livings or

non-livings for their appropriate survival. These kinds of
interactions are essential as organisms are dependent on other
living and non-living matter to obtain energy and achieve growth
so that they could fulfill all the requirements to be alive. Non-
living matter play an irreplaceable role in normal physiology of
the living beings. Various enzymes play their essential role only in
the presence of a cofactor, which are mainly inorganic metal ions
including Mg++, Mn++, Zn++ etc. Ca++ also plays an essential role in
cellular signaling and bone formation; these are to mention a few.
Other components that are involved in physiology include
selenium, sodium, potassium, iron etc. and organisms require all
these elements on a daily basis through food and water. Oxygen is
also an essential element that play major role in oxidative
metabolism and generation of energy for the daily need of the
organism.

But all of above mentioned or other components not mentioned,

are needed in a particular dose1. Uptake of these components
above or below the required dose can potentially alter the
physiology and exhibit a condition that is a disease or ailment. In
the same manner a substance that is not required to the organism
can have adverse physiological alterations and severe effects after
an exposure. These unwanted substances mainly include a variety
of chemicals; others are biological (e.g. viruses, bacteria etc.) or
physical (e.g. UV radiations) agents. Agents that impose such kind
of adverse effects on the organisms are known as xenobiotics or
toxicants and effects are called toxicities.
1 Amount of a substance in mg/kg body weight, which exerts its effect on

the organism.
 Dose, of a particular substance, is an important factor in
determining whether a substance will have an adverse effect on
the organism or be eliminated from the body without any effect.
Dose also depends on the route of exposure, through which a
substance gets entry into the biological system.
Most of the xenobiotics cause an obvious alteration in
redox status of the cell or tissue by accelerating free radical
generation processes or active metabolite formation of the
xenobiotics itself. Moreover, it may alter the expression of various
genes and proteins involved in normal cell growth and
functioning. In this context a toxicological agent is capable of
interfering with the normal physiological activities in an organism
by any one or a combination of the above mentioned interactions.
In fact the generation of free radicals that is involved in oxidative
cellular injuries and alterations of gene function (either
genetically or epigenetically) are not two separable events. They
occur simultaneously. In other words, the effect a xenobiotics
exhibit in a biological system is due to a combination of genetic
and extragenetic interactions within the cell.
Inflammation is the most common response in higher
animals when there is an exposure to a toxic agent. It is simply a
protective response but persistence for a longer period (a chronic
condition) may result into a variety of diseases. Chronic
Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), pulmonary fibrosis,
Arthritis etc. are the examples of chronic2 inflammatory diseases
which may result after repeated episodes of acute inflammation
caused by a xenobiotics. Moreover, chronic inflammation is also
involved in cancer development.
2 A condition, which persists for a period of more than three months. In
most of the chronic diseases the period may be in years.
Various xenobiotics mimic the function of and interfere
with the biosynthesis of hormones which are essential for the
normal physiological functions, growth and reproduction. This
kind of xenobiotics is known as endocrine disruptors. Exposure to
such kind of chemicals is a matter of concern as they show their
effects at very low doses. Release of these chemicals into
environment is, sometime, unavoidable as some of them are used
as pesticides, in plastic industry and other chemical
manufacturing units.
Xenobiotics under the category of mutagens and
carcinogens3 are capable of altering the DNA sequences in such a
way that the cells lose their regulation of cell division and
proliferate in an uncontrolled manner. This condition can lead to
tumor formation and metastasis. These effects are lethal and a
major cause of deaths worldwide.
Alterations in neurophysiology can be responsible for
debilities in cognitive function and behavioral alterations.
Neurotoxic4 agents are capable of inducing such kind of
deleterious effects and can lead to development of
neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
They can affect peripheral or central nervous system and can
induce different neuropathies depending on the part affected.
These effects are mainly associated with low level of exposure.
High level of exposure to neurotoxicants can lead to coma and
sudden death.
3 All carcinogens are mutagens, but all mutagens are not carcinogens.
This is because every mutation does not result in cancer.
4 Agents which cause damages to nervous tissue and disrupts central and
peripheral nervous systems.
 There is an ample generation of endogenous toxic
metabolites5, like ammonia, CO2 etc. to cause serious toxicities if Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
not excreted out immediately.
Multiple choice questions provide a great deal of revision of a
particular subject area, whenever there is a need. The present
Excretory processes are an integral part of the body
book contains a number of MCQs from toxicology and divided
functioning. Kidneys are the main organ involved in excretion of into sets of 20 MCQs each. At the end of every set the answer
not only endogenous harmful metabolites but also of the keys are given.
xenobiotics and their metabolites. Lungs are mainly involved in
exhalation of CO2 and other volatile substances such as ethanol. In addition to the answer keys, whenever it was needed a brief
explanation of the answer is also given. Full explanations of all the
Liver is involved in xenobiotics metabolism and also in excretion
positive or negative answers are out of scope of this book.
of certain kind of xenobiotics through bile. Injury to these organs
by a xenobiotic would hamper the excretion of endogenous
metabolites at one end, and debility in their other essential
functions at the other.

The overall scenario depicts a condition, exposure to

xenobiotics, which is not totally avoidable. The nature always tries
to make a balance between degeneration and protection6, but it
is our own activities that are responsible for the tilting of this
balance towards degeneration.

5 Normal metabolic processes release unwanted byproducts which can be

toxic to the body if not excreted out.

6 Various defensive tools exist in the body in form of detoxifying enzymes

(like Cytochrome P450, Alcohol dehydrogenase etc.), antioxidant

enzymes (Glutathione reductase, catalase, superoxide dismutase etc.)
and reducing equivalents (glutathione, NADPH, thioredoxin, glutaredoxin,
FADH etc.).
TOXICOLOGY
MCQs SET 1
 MCQs Set 1

1. Which of the following case(s) can be categorized as toxicity?

A Development of chronic lung inflammation in smokers.
B Chronic rhinitis associated with influenza.
C Gout, which is inflammation of joints due to
accumulation of uric acid crystals.
D Post-surgical pus formation in a wound on forearm.
E All of the above

2. Liver is the main metabolizing organ in the body. Which of the

following statement is true in association with toxicant
metabolism and reduction of toxicity?
A Liver alone metabolizes all the toxicants and does not
need any further assistance
B Kidney plays an essential role in elimination of
metabolized toxicants through urine.
C Cardiovascular system plays an important role in
detoxification of the chemicals.
D All the chemicals are removed from the body through
bile, after metabolism in the liver.
E Gastrointestinal tract controls the flow of chemicals
into the liver.

3. Which of the following is not a natural rout of exposure to

chemicals?
A Inhalation
B Oral/Gastrointestinal tract
C Topical/Dermal
D Intraperitoneal
E None of the above
4. Which one of the following is most accurate in case of
biotransformation of the chemicals/toxicants?
A It is a synonym of the metabolism.
B Biotransformation always results in the activation of a
neutral chemical.
C Biotransformation is the transformation of one
chemical into the other irrespective of its activity.
D Biotransformation reduces toxicity by transforming
chemicals into neutral ones.
E Biotransformation does not change the chemicals, but
alters their activities in a biological system.
5. What is bioaccumulation?
A Accumulation of biological entities in a geographical
area.
B Accumulation of fossils of plants and animals
underneath several layers of mud, rock and the sand.
C Accumulation of fluid in a body part after a toxic
exposure.
D Accumulation of chemicals in body mainly in fat tissue
and bones.
E Cumulative effect of several toxicants on biological
system.
6. Bioactivation encompasses the following.
A A less harmful substance is converted into more
harmful one.
B It is a process which activates the metabolizing
enzymes in the liver.
C Bioactivation is a part of biotransformation process.
D B&C
E A&C
7. Which of the following enzymes play crucial role in detoxification
of the chemicals?
A Digestive enzymes in the gastrointestinal tract destroy
all the chemicals entering into the body.
B Cytochrome p450 oxidases, UDP-
glucuronyltransferases and glutathione S-transferases
C Superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione
peroxidase
D B&C
E All of the above
8. Chemicals have specific targets in the body.
A True
B Few does have targets, others are nonspecific
C False
D Depends on the route of exposure
E Chemicals decide after entering into the body.
9. Which is an acute event of toxicity?
A Lung inflammation after two days of inhalation of
metal dust.
B Liver toxicity after three daily doses of 325 mg of
paracetamol for one week only.
C Liver toxicity of three doses of 500 mg of paracetamol
for one day only.
D A toxic event occurring suddenly without an unknown
cause.
E A&C
10. Which is true regarding chronic exposure?
A Repeated exposure occurring for a period of three
months.
B Repeated exposure occurring for a period of one
month.
C Repeated exposure occurring for a period of more than
three months.
D Repeated exposure occurring for a period of one day.
15. Most of the chemicals are excreted out by the kidneys through
E It is not categorized as chronic if no toxicity occurs.
11. Following phases are included in biotransformation of the
chemicals.
A Phase 0, Phase I, Phase II
B Phase I, Phase II and sometime Phase III
C Phase 0, Phase I, Phase II, Phase III and Phase IV
D Phase 0, Phase I,
E Phase 0, Phase I, Phase II, Phase III
16.
12. Chemicals are toxic at any dose level.
A A few chemicals, which are lethal to humans, can be
defined like that.
B No, dose determines whether they are toxic.
C There is no dose response relationship when we talk
about highly toxic chemicals.
D The statement can be applied to inhalant toxicants,
because of lungs’ high sensitivity.
E This is true for all kind of pesticides.
14. Which of the following will have the least damaging effects?
A A hydrophilic chemical via inhalation route.
B A lipophilic chemical via dermal route.
C A lipophilic chemical via inhalation route.
D A hydrophilic chemical via oral route.
E A hydrophilic chemical via dermal route.
urine. Which are the other organs or modes involved in excretion
of chemicals?
A Lungs through expiration of volatile compounds.
B Sweat glands excrete a number of metabolites out of
the body.
C Through bile.
D Mammary glands
E All of the above but A, B and C are important
What is the biological half-life (t1/2) of a chemical?
A A chemical reduces the life of an individual to half of
the average life.
B The time in which systemic concentration of a
chemical reduces to half of its initial concentration.
C Half of the time taken to reach the maximum
concentration of chemical in the system.
D Half of the dose of a chemical which can affect the
quality of life.
E None of the above

13. Which of the following will have the most damaging effects?
A A hydrophilic chemical via inhalation route.
B A lipophilic chemical via dermal route.
C A lipophilic chemical via inhalation route.
D A hydrophilic chemical via oral route.
E A hydrophilic chemical via dermal route.
17. Which information can be obtained from an acute toxicity study?
A Median toxic dose (TD50)
B Median lethal dose (LD50)
C No Observed Adverse Effect Level (NOEL)
D Target organ
E All of the above
 Answer keys MCQs Set 1:
18. A particular dose of a substance X is minimal toxic to animal. 1. A
Substance Y is also minimal toxic to the animals at the same dose, 2. B
but when both the substances are administered together they
3. D – Intraperitoneal route of administration is used in various
show the toxicity several orders of magnitude higher than
compared with individual administrations. This is an example of: experimental and clinical administrations where a test substance/drug is
A Potentiation delivered into the peritoneal cavity with the help of a syringe and
B Synergism needle.
C Additivity 4. C
5. D
D Acute Toxicity
6. E
E Agonism
7. B
8. B
19. 1 ppm is equivalent to: 9. E
A 1 g/kg 10. C
B 1 μg/kg 11. B
C 1 mg/kg 12. B
D 1 mg/100g 13. C
E None of the above 14. E
15. E – Theoretically toxicants/metabolites can be eliminated along with
any secretion from the body.
20. Which is true about the LD50?
16. B
A Dose of a substance to which 50% of animals do not
17. E – In an acute toxicity study any end point parameter such as death,
show any response.
brain damage, liver damage etc. can be used to obtain information
B Dose of a substance which kills 50% of animals
regarding a particular toxicant.
exposed.
C 50% of the dose of a substance which can kill an
18. B – In potentiation a non-toxic substance increases the toxicity of a
animal.
relatively less toxic substance. In synergism a substance shows unusually
D Dose of a substance which can kill 50 animals. high toxicity in presence of a less toxic substance, it is much greater than
E 50 mg/kg dose of a substance to test the toxic additive effect. In agonism a substance (agonist) mimics the mechanism
responses in animals. of action of other substance, its opposite is known as antagonism.

19. C – 1 mg is one millionth part of a kilogram.

20. B
TOXICOLOGY
MCQs SET 2
 MCQs Set 2

1 Acceptable daily intake (ADI)

A An estimate of amount of food taken daily.
B Amount of nutrients required on daily basis.
C A&B
D An estimate of the amount of substance in the food
that can be ingested daily over a lifetime by humans
without appreciable health risk.
E All of the above

2 Descriptive toxicology is concerned directly with

A Description of toxicology related research fields.

B Origin of toxicants in nature.
C Toxicity testing, which provides information for safety
evaluation and regulatory requirements?
D Describing the toxicology as a science and art to
laymen and unrelated scientific fields.
E A and D

3 The term ‘toxin’ generally refers to toxic substances that are _____
A Any kind of poisons.
B Produced by biological systems such as plants, animals,
fungi, or bacteria.
C Toxicants released as industrial effluents.
D Toxic elements of inorganic origin such as mercury,
lead, arsenic etc.
E All substances except gases.
4 The term ‘toxicant’ is used in speaking of toxic substances that are
A Specifically toxic to humans.
B Nonlethal in their effects.
C produced by organisms.
D produced by anthropogenic activities.
E Toxic to organisms such as plants, animals, fungi or
bacteria.
7 Threshold dose
A The dose level at which mortality starts occurring.
B A threshold for lethal dose.
C The dose below which no effects appear.
D A and B
E The dose at which 50% animals exhibit toxicity signs

8 No observed adverse effect level (NOAEL)

5 What is chemical allergy?
A The allergy described in terms of chemistry.
B An immunologically mediated adverse reaction to a
chemical resulting from previous sensitization to that
chemical or to a structurally similar one.
C When an individual exhibit adverse immunological
response against all chemicals.
D Immunological response where chemicals mediate the
process instead of antibodies.
E A and D
A The condition of experimental animals when no
adverse effect can be observed.
B The maximum dose at which the toxicant show no
signs of toxicity.
C A condition where adverse effects exist, but are hard
to observe.
D A and C
E The maximum dose of a chemical which caused the
death, hence no other adverse effect got observed.

9 Which of the following can be a source of toxicants?

6 Chemical idiosyncrasy A Car
A Extreme sensitivity to low doses or extreme B Fruits
insensitivity to high doses of the chemical. C Cosmetics
B Attribute of chemicals where they can elicit low or high D Medicines
response that solely depends on their chemistry. E All of the above
C Abnormal responses of individuals towards chemicals
which is determined by genetic constitution.
10 Which one of the following elements is required by our body for
D Abnormal responses of individuals towards chemicals
normal functioning of some enzymes?
which is determined by environmental factors.
A Mercury (Hg)
E A and C
B Zinc (Zn)
C Lead (Pb)
D Antimony (Sb)
E Scandium (Sc)
11 Which one of the elements is not required by our body? 15 Egg shell thinning is caused by the pesticides DDT and DDE. The
A Selenium (Se) mode of exposure in this case is the following:
B Potassium (K) A Direct exposure of birds to DDT and DDE.
C Copper (Cu) B Nesting of birds in DDT and DDE exposed agricultural
D Arsenic (As) fields.
E Phosphorus (P) C Movement of DDT and DDE in food chain.
D DDT and DDE don’t cause egg shell thinning.
E Direct exposure of eggs to DDT and DDE.
12 What is a reference dose (RfD)?
A Dose of a standard chemical to test the toxic doses of
other chemicals. 16 Which one of the following does not elicit toxicological interests?
B An estimate of exposure to an agent for a long period A Forest fire
without any appreciable risk to life. B Volcanic eruption
C Dose of an agent during a previous exposure to C Earthquake
estimate the risks of a latest exposure to the same D Acid rain
agent. E Sand storm
D All of the above
E None of the above
17 What does IDLH stands for?
A International Directory For Long Term Health Effects
13 Where in the body do toxicants/chemicals get stored? B Immediately Dangerous To Lung Or Heart
A Plasma proteins C International Directory For Lung And Heart Diseases
B Body fat D Immediate Or Delayed Effects On Lung Or Heart
C Liver and kidneys E Immediately Dangerous To Life Or Health
D Bones
E All of the above
18 Which one of the following are the main targets of lead toxicity?
14 The mode of excretion of xenobiotics from the body. Select which A Liver and kidneys
applies. B Nervous system and hematopoietic system
A Urinary C Heart and lung
B Fecal (nonabsorbed, biliary excretion) D Bones and muscles
C Exhalation E Skin and hair
D Sweat, saliva and milk
E All of the above
19 Organic mercury targets_________ whereas inorganic mercury Answer keys MCQs Set 2:
primarily targets__________. 1. D
A Bones, ligaments 2. C
B Liver, hematopoietic system 3. B
C Nervous system, kidneys 4. D
D Hematopoietic system, nervous system 5. B
E Liver, nervous system 6. E
7. C
8. B
20 ‘Itai-itai’ disease is caused by______
9. E
A Cadmium
10. B
B Mercury
11. D – Arsenic is one of the most toxic substances and people are
C Lead
exposed to it through contaminated water and soil.
D Copper
E Chromium
12. B
13. E – Storage of toxicants within the body depends on their affinity
towards the different kinds of tissues and their components. For
example lipophilic substances are most likely to be stored in fat tissue.

14. E
15. C
16. C
17. E – represents the levels of a particular hazardous substance.

18. B – Lead targets developing nervous system and shows severe

effects in children. In adults mainly hematopoietic system is targeted.

19. C
20. A – Itai itai is a cadmium poisoning disaster occurred around 1912 in
Japan. The disease affected kidneys and bones causing severe pain in
joints and spine, hence the name itai itai (“Ouch, Ouch” or “It hurts, it
hurts”).
TOXICOLOGY
MCQs SET 3
 MCQs Set 3

1 ‘Black foot’ disease is caused by ________

A Chromium
B Mercury
C Arsenic
D Lead
E Copper

2 Which of the following is not a pesticide?

A Chloropicrin
B Fluoroacetamide
C Malachite green
D Nicotine
E Malathion

3 Which of the following toxins is not produced by bacteria?

A Cholera toxin
B Aflatoxin
C Botulinum toxin
D Tetanus toxin
E Diphtheria toxin

4 Ergotism is associated with toxin produced by __________

A Bacteria
B Plant
C Fungus
D Virus
E Mycoplasma
5 Aspergillus species produce aflatoxins. Aflatoxin B1, one of the 9 Which of the following is the main way of transportation of a lipid
aflatoxins, causes following toxic effect/s in humans: soluble toxicant within body?
A Severe liver toxicity and Carcinogenesis A Filtration
B It is less toxic due to its natural origin B Special transport
C Severe renal effects resulting in kidney failure C Endocytosis
D Cardiotoxicity D A and C
E Respiratory collapse E Passive diffusion

6 Tetrodotoxin, a deadly toxin, is found in _________ 10 What is the most common toxicity target of ethanol (beverage
A Rattle snake alcohol) in humans?
B Shellfish A Brain
C Mussels B Fetus
D Puffer fish C Liver
E Scorpion D Kidneys
E Heart

7 Which is the most likely toxic effect of cosmetics?

A Skin corrosion 11 What are the common targets of ethanol toxicity in humans?
B Allergic contact dermatitis A Liver, brain, heart and kidneys
C Local muscular degeneration B Liver, lungs and intestine
D Local neuronal damage C Liver, brain and fetus
E Major risk of systemic toxicity after absorption of D Spleen, liver, brain and thymus
chemicals through skin. E All of the above

8 Gastrointestinal tract does not have any profound effect on nature 12 Methanol consumption is associated with permanent blindness.
of ingested chemicals Following comment is true regarding methanol toxicity.
A True A Methanol, unlike ethanol, causes direct toxicity to
B False optical nerves after absorption.
C Maybe B Apart from the blindness, methanol is less toxic than
D Gut-microflora plays important role in ethanol.
biotransformation of ingested chemicals C Alcohol dehydrogenase converts methanol into
E It does not matter whether gastrointestinal tract have formaldehyde which causes blindness.
any effects on chemicals D Aldehyde dehydrogenase converts methanol into
formaldehyde which causes blindness.
E Alcohol dehydrogenase and aldehyde dehydrogenase
 converts methanol into formic acid which causes
blindness. 17 Who is the father of occupational medicine?
A Louis Lewin
B Paracelsus
13 Which part of the body is primarily affected by caffeine C Mathieu Orfila
intoxication?
D Bernardino Ramazzini
A Heart
E Oswald Schmiedeberg
B Brain
C Liver
D Kidneys 18 Exposure to __________ is associated with occupation.
E Gastrointestinal tract A Aflatoxins
B Cigarette smoke
C Formaldehyde
14 Leaves from the following plants are the significant source of
D Ethanol
caffeine.
A Coffea arabica E Acetaminophen
B Erythroxylum coca
C Cola acuminata 19 Exposure to __________ is associated with lifestyle.
D Camellia sinensis A Chromium
E Theobroma cacao B Benzene
C Benzidine
D Nicotine
15 Who first of all described the association between chemical
exposure and cancer? E Asbestos
A Percival Pott
20 Mesothelioma (cancer of lining covering internal organs) is
B Paracelsus
associated with exposure to ____
C Mathieu Orfila A Benzene
D Bernardino Ramazzini B Nickel
E Oswald Schmiedeberg C Mercury
D Arsenic
16 Who is the father of forensic toxicology? E Asbestos
A Louis Lewin
B Paracelsus
C Mathieu Orfila
D Bernardino Ramazzini
E Oswald Schmiedeberg
Answer keys MCQs Set 3:
1. C
2. C - Malachite green is used as a dye in leather and paper industries.

3. B
4. C
5. A
6. D – Liver, intestine and skin of puffer fish is known to be source of
tetrodotoxin, a potent neurotoxin, which is produced by symbiotic
bacteria Pseudoalteromonas tetraodonis and species of Vibrio and
Pseudomonas.

7. B TOXICOLOGY
8. D
9. E MCQs SET 4
10. C
11. C – After liver and brain, the ethanol causes fetal toxicity known as
Alcohol Fetal Syndrome (AFS) causing severe mental and physical
damages in developing babies.

12. E
13. B
14. D
15. A
16. C
17. D
18. C – Formaldehyde is used in shoe industry and has been associated
with nasal cancer.

19. D
20. E
 MCQs Set 4

1 Benzene is known to cause _________ cancer.

A Bone marrow
B Cervical
C Ovarian
D Prostate
E Breast

2 Thalidomide is known for its ___________ effects.

A Teratogenic
B Carcinogenic
C Mutagenic
D Neurotoxic
E Hepatotoxic

3 The very well reported birth defect of thalidomide is________

A Cleft palate
B Congenital heart disease
C Ectrodactyly
D Club foot
E Phocomelia

4 What is the expression of dose of a substance?

A mg/lbs
B g/kg
C μg/100g
D μg/kg
E mg/kg
5 Ppm (parts per million) is equivalent to _________ 9 Which one of the following is true regarding Dose-response
A ml/L relationship?
B mg/kg A Response is directly proportional to the dose of a
C μg/kg substance.
D mg/L B Dose exhibits ‘all or none’ response.
E μg/g C The dose which elicit a toxic response.
D The dose which does not induce any response.
E None of the above.
6 Which of the following pesticides is acetylcholinesterase inhibitor?
A Formamidines
B DDT and DDE 10 What is a quantal dose-response?
C Nicotine A Continuous responses in an individual against varying
D Pyrethroids doses of a substance.
E Organophosphates B The responses which can be quantified.
C The most probable responses in experimental animals
after toxicant exposure.
7 Which one is an antidote for organophosphate poisoning? D The responses which cannot be quantified.
A Activated charcoal
E Individual responses distributed in a population to
B EDTA different doses of a substance.
C Ipecac
D Atropine
E BAL 11 Following is an example of quantal dose-response observation.
A Toxic effects in response to increasing doses of a
chemical.
8 Dose is defined as the __________________________ B Effect of a dietary supplement on body weight in a
A Amount of substance which is released into the population.
environment. C Observation of median lethal dose (LD50) in rats.
B Amount of substance which reaches the target site in D Death of an individual after a snake bite.
the body. E B and C
C Amount of substance which is converted into active
metabolite to exert toxic effect.
D Amount of substance which enters into the body.
E Amount of substance is bound to the plasma proteins.
12 What is a graded dose-response? 16 Sulfur dioxide (SO2) affects the respiratory system by _________
A Continuous responses in an individual against varying A Forming sulfurous acid in respiratory tract, resulting in
doses of a substance. irritation.
B Responses to a single exposure at different time B Reducing oxygen carrying capacity of blood.
interval. C Causing allergy
C Effects other than the major one against a dose of a D Carcinogenesis
substance. E Respiratory collapse
D Individual responses distributed in a population to
different doses of a substance.
17 Which of the following participate in formation of photochemical
E A and C
smog?
A Oxides of sulfur
13 What is the antidote for methanol poisoning? B Hydrogen
A Atropine C Ozone
B British anti lewisite D Oxides of nitrogen
C Charcoal E Carbon dioxide
D Ethanol
E Disodium EDTA
18 What is the cause of acid rain?
A Over production of acids in factories.
14 Which one of the following is not an air pollutant? B Increased environmental concentration of Oxides of
A Ozone nitrogen and sulfur due to air pollution.
B Argon C Increased use of acid in household cleaning.
C Nitrogen oxides D Increased aviation activities.
D Sulfur oxides E Carbon dioxide (CO2) and global warming.
E Hydrogen sulfide

19 Which of the following is not a possible route of exposure to a

15 What is the mode of action of carbon monoxide (CO)? toxicant in the environment?
A It reduces the oxygen absorption by directly or A Inhalation
indirectly damaging the alveoli. B Ingestion
C Dermal absorption
B It destroys the red blood cells.
D Transdermal
C Combines with hemoglobin to reduce oxygen carrying E None of the above
capacity of RBCs.
D It has a corrosive effect on airways, specially bronchi
and bronchioles.
E It alters the structure of the hemoglobin.
20 What happens to DDT when it enters the body? Answer keys MCQs Set 4:
A It is stored in the bones. 1. A
B It is water soluble and easily excreted out from the 2. A
body. 3. E – Phocomelia, a condition where long limb bones are not formed in
C It is fat soluble and stored in fat tissue. fetuses. Arms without long bones appear like flippers hence the
D It is converted into an active metabolite. condition is called ‘Flipper Arms’ a common condition caused by
E It bypasses the metabolism and excreted as such. thalidomide.

4. E – Dose of a substance is always measured in mg/kg body weight.

Where the measurement in case of toxic gases or fumes the exposure
level is measured as concentration in ppm/m3.

5. B
6. E
7. D
8. D
9. A
10. E
11. E
12. A
13. D – Ethanol is agonist for methanol and competes with it for
metabolism by alcohol dehydrogenase and aldehyde dehydrogenase,
thus minimizes the formation of toxic metabolites of methanol,
formaldehyde and formic acid.

Alcohol Dehydrogenase Aldehyde Dehydrogenase

Methanol ---------------> Formaldehyde ------------------> Formic acid

(Causes blindness)

Alcohol Dehydrogenase Aldehyde Dehydrogenase

Ethanol ----------------> Acetaldehyde -------------------> Acetic acid

14. B
15. C – Carbon monoxide has around 200 times greater affinity for
hemoglobin than oxygen.
16. A – SO2 reacts with aqueous layer on lung epithelium to form
sulfurous acid.

SO2 + H2O → H2SO3

17. D

18. B - Oxides of nitrogen and sulfur reacts with environmental moisture

to form nitric acid and sulfuric acid respectively.

19. D – Transdermal route is used to deliver certain drugs in clinical set

up.
20. C
TOXICOLOGY
MCQs SET 5
 MCQs Set 5

1 Who is most likely to exhibit toxic effects of environmental

tobacco smoke (ETS).
A A person with asthma
B An obese teenager
C An athlete
D A child in 2nd grade
E A driver who smokes

2 Which of the following pneumocyte clears the particles deposited

in the lungs?
A Type I pneumocyte
B Type II pneumocyte
C Clara cells
D Fibroblasts
E Alveolar macrophages

3 Emphysema is an inflammatory tissue damage, which can be

caused by toxicants. Which organ is affected in case of
emphysema?
A Kidneys
B Heart
C Lung
D Skin
E Nervous system

4 Which protein is mainly damaged in emphysema?

A Collagen
B Elastin
C Keratin
D Albumin
E globulin
 cilia movement.
5 Cigarette smoking is the main cause of Chronic Obstructive C They damage hemoglobin and reduce oxygen carrying
Pulmonary Disease, which is a combination of following ailments. capacity of the blood.
A Emphysema, chronic bronchitis, asthma
D They can damage cellular macromolecules like DNA,
B Chronic bronchitis, bronchiolitis, edema
proteins and lipids and exert severe cellular damages
C Asthma, tracheitis, necrosis leading to several diseases.
D Emphysema, cough, sneezing E A and B
E Allergic cough, rhinitis, lower respiratory infections

9 Four of the following are the sources of hazard and one is a

6 Which of the following statements is true? hazard. Which one is a hazard?
A Light cigarettes are safer than the regular ones. A Asbestos mining
B Electronic cigarettes are less harmful to the lungs and B Chemical factory
heart. C Cigarette
C Filtered cigarettes are way safer than the non-filtered D Metal fumes
cigarettes. E Automobiles
D Herbal cigarettes are natural hence harmless.
E None of the above
10 Which of the following is not helpful in determining the dose of a
toxic substance?
7 What does PM10 indicate? A Body weight
A Stage of a lung disease. B Animal species (including human)
B Size of inhalant particles enough to reach and be C Origin of toxicant
deposited in the alveoli. D Chemico-biological nature of the toxicant
C Number of cigarettes per day to cause lung cancer in E Body surface area
10 years.
D Measure of pollutants in a unit volume of inhalant air.
11 Following are the normal functions of the metals in the body
E Degree of concentration of toxicants present in the air.
except _________.
A Calcium in bone formation
B Phosphorus in ATP
8 A plenty of free radicals and oxidants are released with cigarette C Iron in hemoglobin
smoke. What does these oxidative species actually do to the D Lithium in sodium channels activities
lungs? E Magnesium in enzyme functions
A They alter the secretion of surfactants which protect
the lung epithelium.
B They block clearance of particulate matter by inhibiting
12 What are the effects of cellular hypoxia in case of carbon 16 What kind of toxicity does ammonia cause?
monoxide poisoning? A Cardiotoxicity
A Alveolar collapse B Tissue corrosion
B Lung edema C Neurotoxicity
C Brain damage and cardiac dysrhythmia D Reduced gastric motility
D Disrupted glycolysis E hepatotoxicity
E Disrupted hematopoiesis

17 Which one of the arsenic compounds causes hemolysis?

13 Why activated charcoal is administered in case of oral poisoning? A Arsenic trioxide (As2O3)
A It deactivates toxicants B Arsenic pentoxide (As2O5)
B It increases the metabolic processes of detoxification C Arsenic pentafluoride (AsF5)
C It chemically detoxifies the toxicants D Arsenic trisulfide (As2S3)
D It chelates metal circulating in the blood E Arsine (AsH3)
E It reduces absorption of toxicants by adsorbing them

18 Asbestos is a group of naturally occurring silicates, which include

14 Which of the following is associated with acetaminophen toxicity? ____________.
A Methanol A Chrysotile and anthophyllite
B N-acetyl-p-benzoquinone imine B Amosite and actinolite
C 3-(1-methylpyrrolidin-2-yl)pyridine C Crocidolite
D Benzo(a)pyrene D Tremolite
E Diethyl nitrosamine E All of the above

15 Who is the most susceptible to hepatotoxicity by high doses of

acetaminophen (paracetamol)? 19 Sodium azide (NaN3) which is used in car air bags and as
A A child in second grade preservative in laboratories has a mechanism of toxicity similar to
B An old lady _________.
C A person on fasting A Aconite
D An alcoholic B Cyanide
E A factory worker C Nicotine
D Arsenic
E Lithium
20 Botulinum toxin causes death by___________.
A CNS depression and coma
B Cardiac failure
C Respiratory failure
D Severe hemolysis
E Renal failure
Answer keys MCQs Set 5:
1. A – Asthma can be triggered by tobacco smoke and pose severe
damage. Children are also prone to toxic insults caused by tobacco
smoke. However, tobacco smoke is toxic for anyone exposed.
2. E
3. C – In emphysema lung alveoli are damaged, become enlarged and
loose flexibility. It is one of the several conditions collectively known as
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

4. B
5. A
6. E
7. B
8. D – Oxidants exert their effect by damaging cellular macromolecules.

9. D
10. C
11. D – Lithium is used as medicine in mental illnesses like depression,
schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

12. C
13. E
14. B - N-acetyl-p-benzoquinone imine is reactive metabolite of
acetaminophen which is responsible for liver damage and other
associated toxic effects.
CYP 2E1 (Liver damage)
Acetaminophen ----------------> N-acetyl-p-benzoquinone imine (NAPQI)

(Glutathione)
---------------> NAPQI-glutathione conjugates ---------> Excretion

15. D
16. B
17. E
18. E
19. B
20. C – Botulinum causes paralysis of respiratory muscles.

TOXICOLOGY
MCQs SET 6
 MCQs Set 6

1 Cadmium is a highly toxic metal that causes__________.

A Chemical pneumonitis
B Damage to renal tubules
C Cancer
D GI tract irritation
E All of the above

2 What is the main concern with the chlorinated hydrocarbon

pesticide when compared with other classes of pesticide?
A They are highly neurotoxic
B They can cause death
C They persist in the environment
D They damage the crops
E They can kill the cattle

3 Chlorine has toxic effects similar to _________.

A Arsine
B Phosgene
C Mustard gas
D Ammonia
E Carbon monoxide

4 Which one of the following is not associated with sea food

toxicity?
A Ciguatoxin
B Aflatoxin
C Tetrodotoxin
D Saxitoxin
E Okadaic acid
5 What are the most likely toxic effects of Iodine? 9 Common toxicity target of inorganic mercuric salts and organic
A Corrosive effects like that of chlorine mercury is ________.
B Oxidative damage to cellular molecules A Kidneys
C Disturbed thyroid functions B Liver
D Adrenal gland disturbances C Muscles
E Disturbed pancreatic gland functions D Skin
E CNS

6 Ipecac syrup is derived from Cephaline ipecacuanha plant and used

for ________. 10 Common toxicity target of elemental mercury, inorganic mercuric
A Inducing emesis in case of oral poisoning salts and organic mercury is ________.
B Supporting cardiac function in case of pesticide toxicity A Kidneys
C To potentiate liver function B Liver
D lung inflammatory diseases C Muscles
E GI tract cleaning D Skin
E CNS

7 Which is the common target of toxicity of lithium, manganese and

magnesium? 11 Major rout of exposure to elemental mercury is _______.
A Cardiac muscles A Dermal
B Bones B Inhalation
C Skeletal muscles C Ingestion
D Central nervous system (CNS) D Intravenous
E Immune system E Intramuscular

8 Common toxicity target of elemental mercury and methyl mercury

is ________. 12 ‘Metal fume fever’ is caused by inhalation of fumes of _______.
A Kidneys A Zinc oxide
B Liver B Elemental mercury
C Muscles C Chromium oxide
D Skin D Ferric chloride
E CNS E Any of the metal oxides
13 A 28 year old person accidentally consumed high doses of a 17 Target organ of the herbicide paraquat is ________.
nitrate. What sort of toxicity is expected in that person? A Liver
A Reduced oxygen carrying capacity/hypoxia B Kidney
B Acute hypotension C Endocrine glands
C Increased hypoxia and a little hypotension D Lung
D Increased hypotension and a little hypoxia E Reproductive organs
E Respiratory collapse

18 Which of the following is not recommended in case of paraquat

14 Toxicity targets of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) poisoning?
include_______. A Charcoal administration
A CNS and muscles B Oxygen administration
B Musculoskeletal system and liver C Washing of exposed skin
C GI tract and kidneys D Maintenance of open airway
D Cardiovascular system E Fluid administration
E Respiratory system

19 What are the effects, other than the systemic effects of the
smoke?
15 Morphine is obtained from the following plant A Thermal damage to the airways
A Nicotiana tabacum B Irritation
B Erythroxylum coca C Asphyxia
C Atropa belladonna D A, B and C
D Papaver somniferum E B and C
E Datura alba

20 Which of the following statement is associated with first order

16 Opioids like heroin and morphine can cause death by _________. kinetic?
A CNS depression A Excretion can be increased by increasing pH
B Cardiac failure B Amount of excretion does not depend on the
C Respiratory depression and failure concentration of the toxicant
D Renal failure C Amount of excretion can be increased by diuresis
E Hemolytic anemia D Amount of excretion depends on the concentration of
the toxicant
E Excretion is not associated with the metabolism
Answer keys MCQs Set 6:
1. E
2. C
3. D – Chlorine and ammonia, both have corrosive effects.
4. B – Aflatoxin is produced by a fugus , Aspergillus flavus, which usually
contaminate peanuts.

5. C – Iodine is essential for the production of two thyroid hormones

riiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxin (T4), which regulates the metabolism.
Toxic doses of iodine disrupt this hormone system.

6. A
7. D TOXICOLOGY
8. E
9. A MCQs SET 7
10. D
11. B
12. A
13. B – Nitrates cause vasodilation and reduces blood pressure.

14. C
15. D
16. C
17. D
18. B
19. D
20. D – In first order kinetics excretion is directly proportional to the
concentration of the substance.
 MCQs Set 7

1 Which one belongs to zero order kinetics?

A Half-life remains constant even if the concentration of
the compound is increased
B Half-life is increased with the increasing concentration
of the compound
C Half-life is independent of the amount of compound
D Half-life is indirectly proportional to the amount of
excretion
E Half-life is directly proportional to the amount of
excretion

2 Wilson’s disease is associated with the accumulation of following

metal-
A Zinc
B Calcium
C Manganese
D Iron
E Copper

3 Which of the following favors the accumulation of the toxicants in

biological system?
A Molecular size and chemical properties
B Hydrophilicity and protein binding
C Resistance to metabolism and lipophilicity
D Reuptake in the gut and enzyme inhibition
E Entrance in the food chain and food web

4 Most of the copper in the body remains bound to __________

A Ceruloplasmin
B Plasminogen
C Albumin
 D Globulin 9 Antidote for acetaminophen/paracetamol
E Collagen A N-acetylcysteine
B Sodium nitrate
C Dimercaprol
5 Antidote/s administered in case of copper poisoning
D EDTA
A Penicillamine
E Fuller’s earth
B Disodium EDTA
C Dimercaprol
D A and B 10 Therapeutic index is expressed as __________.
E A and C A LD50/TD50
B LD50/ED50
C TD50/LD50
6 Antidote for the arsenic poisoning
D TD50/ED99
A N-acetylcysteine
E ED50/LD50
B Sodium nitrate
C Dimercaprol
D EDTA 11 Margin of safety is expressed as __________.
E Fuller’s earth A LD1/ED99
B LD50/ED50
C TD50/LD50
7 Antidote for cyanide poisoning
D TD50/ED99
A N-acetylcysteine
E ED50/LD50
B Sodium nitrate
C Dimercaprol
D EDTA 12 What is the ‘First pass effect’?
E Fuller’s earth A When a larger part of the drug/toxicant bypasses the
liver and reaches circulation.
B When a larger part of the drug/toxicant first passes
8 Antidote for paraquat through the circulation and then reaches the liver for
A N-acetylcysteine
metabolism.
B Sodium nitrate
C When a larger part of the drug/toxicant first gets
C Dimercaprol converted into active metabolite in the circulation.
D EDTA D When a larger part of the drug/toxicant passes directly
E Fuller’s earth through urine without reaching to the liver.
E When a larger part of the drug/toxicant is metabolized
by GIT and/or liver before reaching to the circulation.
 17 Which is the most important enzyme in xenobiotic
13 In the body most of the drugs remain bound to the plasma biotransformation?
proteins. Which one of the following is the preferred bond? A Epoxide hydrolase
A Ionic bonds B Carboxylesterases
B Hydrogen bonds C Flavin Monooxygenases
C Van der Waal’s forces D Cytochrome b5
D Hydrophobic interactions E Cytochrome P450
E All of the above

18 Alcohol dehydrogenase, an important enzyme in

14 Xenobiotic metabolism will basically lead to _________. biotransformation of alcohols, catalyzes the following type of
A Bioaccumulation of the xenobiotic reaction-
B Altered chemical structure A Reduction
C Increased toxicity B Hydrolysis
D Decreased toxicity C Oxidation
E Increased renal excretion D Hydroxylation
E Acetylation

15 Which is not a part of phase I biotransformation of toxicants? 19 Which one is the most common conjugation reaction in phase II
A Oxidation biotransformation?
B Hydrolysis A Glucuronidation
C Reduction B Sulfonation
D Glutathione conjugation C Acetylation
E Epoxide hydrolase D Methylation
E Glutathione conjugation

16 Following are the reactions included in phase II biotransformation,

except _________. 20 UDP–glucuronosyltransferases (UGTs), which catalyze the
A Glucuronidation glucuronidation reactions in phase II biotransformation, are
B Quinone reduction located in ______________ within the cell.
C Sulfonation A Cytoplasm
D Acetylation B Endoplasmic reticulum
E Methylation C Mitochondria
D Lysosomes
E Peroxisomes
Answer keys MCQs Set 7:
1. B – in zero order kinetics the rate of excretion remains constant, so
increasing concentration means increase in half life.

2. E
3. C
4. A
5. E
6. C
7. B
8. E - Fuller’s earth works as an adsorbent and reduces the absorption of
paraquat into the system.
TOXICOLOGY
9. A
10. B – lower value of therapeutic index (LD50/ED50) indicates higher risk MCQs SET 8
of toxicity of therapeutic drugs. It is also expressed as TD50/ED50.
(ED = Effective dose; LD = Lethal dose; TD = Toxic dose)

11. A
12. E
13. E
14. B - Xenobiotic metabolism basically alters the chemical structure in
order to increase the exretion of the substance which ultimately may
lead to increased or decreased toxicity.

15. D - Glutathione conjugation and other conjugation reactions are the

part of Phase II biotransformation.

16. B
17. E
18. C
19. A
20. B
 MCQs Set 8

1 Cytochrome P450 enzymes, which catalyze the largest portion of

phase I biotransformation, are located in ______________ within
the cell.
A Cytoplasm
B Endoplasmic reticulum
C Mitochondria
D Lysosomes
E Peroxisomes

2 Bioactivation means _________________

A Activation of biological processes by means of
drugs/toxicant exposure
B Activation of a species after a long seasonal dormancy
period
C Conversion of a less- or non-toxic compound into a
potentially toxic compound by metabolic process
D Improvement of work efficiency using energetic
nutrients
E None of the above

3 If an enzyme is microsomal, it means it is __________

A Located in peroxisomes
B Lysosomes
C Endoplasmic reticulum
D Golgi apparatus
E Mitochondria
4 Sulfotransferases (SULT) catalyzes sulfonation reactions in Phase II.
There are two major classes of these enzymes i) membrane bound
and ii) soluble respectively located in _______
A Endoplasmic reticulum and cytoplasm
B Mitochondria and extracellular matrix
C Endoplasmic reticulum and extracellular matrix
D Golgi apparatus and cytoplasm
E Mitochondria and cytoplasm
5 Sulfonation involves the transfer of the following to the xenobiotic
A SH‾
B SO4‾
C S2‾
D SO3‾
E SO42‾
6 What is the cofactor in sulfonation reactions?
A 3’-phosphoadenosine-5’-phosphosulfate (PAPS)
B Sodium dodecyl sulfate
C Adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-sulfurylase
D Magnesium sulfate
E Alkyl sulfonate
7 Which is the most common cofactor in one of the main phase II
biotransformation reactions?
A Uridine Diphosphate Glucose
B Uridine Diphosphate Glucuronic Acid
C Uridine Diphosphate Xylose
D Uridine Diphosphate Galactose
E All of the above
8 Which of the following is an example of bioactivation?
A Acetaminophen → N-acetyl-p-benzoquinine imine
B Malathion → Malaoxon
C Aflatoxin → Aflatoxin-8,9 epoxide
D Benzo(a)pyrene →benzo(a)pyrene 7,8-diol 9,10-
epoxide
E All of the above
9 Following are the examples of adverse effects of toxicants except
_____.
A Decreased lifespan
B Increased incidences of limb injuries
C Altered physiology and biochemistry
D Behavioral instability
E Decreased growth
10 ‘Ames test’ is used to detect _______.
A Salmonella typhi infection.
B Salmonella typhimurium infection.
C Mutagenic potential of chemicals using in-vitro test
with mutant strains of Salmonella typhimurium.
D Carcinogenic potential of chemicals using in-vitro test
with HeLa cancer cell lines.
E Hepatotoxic potential of chemicals in cell cultures.
11 Anthracosis is a lung condition common in _______.
A Gold miners
B Diamond miners
C People doing research on Bacillus anthracis
D Coal miners
E Wine distillers
12 Argyrosis is caused by _______ 17 Ceiling Value (CV), a term used in occupational toxicology,
A mercury denote_______
B cadmium A Ceiling of a workplace should be well ventilated.
C silver B Concentration of an airborne toxicant in workplace.
D lead C Lethal concentration of a toxicant in workplace area.
E arsenic D level of heavy metal fumes reaching up to the ceiling.
E none of the above.
13 Bagassosis disease is associated with the following organ.
A Heart 18 Burning sensation after exposure to chilli pepper is an example of
B Lung ________.
C Liver A paresthesia
D Kidneys B sensitization
E Brain C receptor activation
D contact dermatitis
14 The target organ of beryllium toxicity is _____. E chemesthesis
A Kidneys
B Heart 19 Chemosis is __________.
C Liver A swelling of conjunctiva due to chemical exposure.
D Lung B a lung condition after chemical inhalation.
E Brain C occupational disease in chemical factory workers.
D osmosis of chemicals.
15 Which of the following interface does not exist? E inflammation of limbs after chemical exposure.
A Blood-Brain Barrier
B Blood-Testis Barrier 20 Ciguatera toxin is produced by _______.
C Blood-Follicle Barrier A Barracuda fish.
D Blood-Pancreas Barrier B Pseudoalteromonas tetraodonis
E Blood-Placenta Barrier C Gambierdiscus toxicus
D Fugu (Puffer fish)
16 Workers involved in cotton processing may suffer with ______. E Aspergillus flavus
A tuberculosis
B silicosis
C siderosis
D stannosis
E byssinosis
Answer keys MCQs Set 8:
1. B
2. C
3. C – In experimental set up endoplasmic reticulum are isolated using
ultracentrifugation of the tissue homogenates. The endoplasmic
reticulum cannot be collected in its natural form they are collected as
small globular membrane bound forms known as microsomes, hence the
enzymes found in endoplasmic reticulum are called microsomal
enzymes.

4. D
5. D
6. A TOXICOLOGY
7. B
8. E MCQs SET 9
9. B
10. C
11. D
12. C – greyish or dark grey pigmentation due to accumulation of silver
in tissues.

13. B – Bagassosis is caused by inhalation of constituents of sugar cane.

14. D
15. D
16. E
17. B
18. E
19. A – It result in swelled surroundings of the eyes.

20. C – Barracuda fishes are found contaminated with ciguatera toxin.

 MCQs Set 9

1 In ‘comet assay’ we measure the ________.

A extent of hepatotoxicity.
B extent of damage in spleen.
C extent of damage in renal tubules.
D extent of DNA damage in single cells.
E pancreatic damage.

2 What is ‘bioavailability’?
A Availability of biological entities for exposure to
toxicants.
B Ability of chemicals to be absorbed by organisms.
C Chemicals in an approachable vicinity.
D Availability of biologically produced agents.
E None of the above.

3 Tooth enamel malformation is caused by _______ toxicity.

A copper
B phosphorus
C fluoride
D iron
E lithium

4 Who discovered the carcinogenic effects of the chemicals?

A Percivall Pott
B Paracelsus
C Orfilla
D Bernardino Ramazzini
E Socrates
5 Endotoxins are _________. 11 Chemical carcinogenesis is not a toxic effect.
A produced by yeasts A True
B fungal toxin B False
C bacterial toxins
D produced by mycoplasmas 12 ‘Guinea-pig maximization test’
E viral toxins A used to asses skin carcinogens.
B used to test maximum damage a toxicant can cause.
6 Endotoxins are released after death of some microorganisms. C used to screen contact allergens.
A True D used to assess penetration potential of cosmetics.
B False E an alternative to LD50 experiment.

7 ‘Environmental medicine’ encompasses the management of 13 ‘Half-life’ and ‘Half time’ are different parameters.
damages caused by toxicants to the environment. A True
A True B False
B False
14 ‘Hazard’ indicates inherent toxic properties of a substance, in
8 In ‘first order kinetics’ reaction rate is indirectly proportional to other words a ‘source of danger’.
the concentration of the substance. A True
A True B False
B False
15 ‘Hormesis’ is a phenomenon where generally toxic/non-essential
9 ‘First pass effect’ is the biotransformation of chemicals in the substances show beneficial effects at low doses.
intestine before reaching to the circulation. A True
A True B False
B False C maybe

10 Genotoxicity involves ________. 16 An adverse condition is called ‘iatrogenic’ when it arises from
A alteration in DNA sequence. lack of medical treatment.
B toxic damages to the DNA, such as DNA strand breaks. A True
C Chromosomal abnormalities. B False
D A&B
E All of the above
17 When an individual show unusually high sensitivity towards a Answer keys MCQs Set 9:
substance, the condition is known as _________. 1. D
A Idiopathic 2. B
B Icterus 3. C
C Anaphylaxis 4. A
D Idiosyncrasy 5. C – Endotoxins are integral part of cell walls of certain Gram-negative
E Hypersensitivity bacteria. They are also known as lipopolysaccharides (LPS).

18 ‘Micronucleus’ formation is an example of ________. 6. A

A teratogenicity 7. B
B carcinogenicity 8. B
C genotoxicity 9. B
D cytotoxicity 10. E
11. B
E B&C
12. C
13. B
19 Apoptotic tissue injuries are accompanied by inflammation.
14. A
A True
15. A
B False
16. B - An adverse condition is called ‘iatrogenic’ when it arises from
medical treatment itself.
20 Substances in nanoforms (Nanosized Particles [NSPs], <100 nm)
are less toxic than their crude/normal forms.
17. D
A True
18. C
B False
19. B – Necrotic injuries induce inflammation.

20. B
TOXICOLOGY
MCQs SET 10
 MCQs Set 10

1 Oxidative stress is a condition where reactive oxygen species

(ROSs) generation outweighs the body’s capacity to counter them.
A True
B False

2 Which of the following statements belongs to ‘toxicodynamics’?

A Mercury vapors inhaled and accumulated in the CNS.
B Binding of copper with ceruloplasmin.
C Elimination of lead after chelation with dimercaprol.
D Inhibition of ALAD enzyme in case of lead toxicity.
E Urine levels of NAPQI-glutathione level.

3 A toxicant produced by an animal is called _________.

A toxin
B biotoxin
C venom
D poison
E mycotoxin

4 An obese person survives a long period of exposure to a lipophilic

toxicant T. After a certain period he pass through a period of
starvation. What are the prospects in terms of toxicology?
A He survived toxicant exposure, he will survive through
starvation period as well.
B He will be in good shape after the period is over.
C Chances are there that he suffer severe toxicity by
toxicant T which should be released from the fat tissue
decomposing during starvation.
D He has a lot of fat, so the starvation will not affect him.
E None of the above.

5 A substance ‘S’ follows zero order kinetics. A person is exposed to

a certain amount ‘A’ of ‘S’ on daily basis. The half-life of amount
‘A’ of ‘S’ is one day. The person was exposed to ‘S’ for three days.
How much should he wait for complete elimination of the ‘S’?
A 6 days
B 5 days
 C 4 days
D 3 days
E 9 days
6 In Ames test a substance ‘M’ demonstrates significant mutagenic
potential. What implications can be drawn from this information?
A The substance ‘M’ is surly a carcinogen.
B ‘M’ will induce cancer in animal models but not in
humans.
C ‘M’ may or may not have carcinogenic potential.
D ‘M’ is an environmental contaminant.
E Substance ‘M’ can be used as disinfectant in industrial
and household set ups.
10 Different agents of chemical, biological or physical origin have
potential to alter DNA sequence and capable of causing
cancer. What is your opinion regarding the above statement?
A Only chemicals can cause cancer.
B No physical agent is known to cause cancer.
C Studies show that the agents of chemical, biological
or physical origin can cause cancer.
D The statement is not true.
E Viruses do not belong to any category still they can
cause certain types of cancer.

11 “All substances are poison….”. Under the aegis of this statement,

7 Gene mutations caused by chemicals initiates the process of when do you see the toxicity of table sugar?
carcinogenesis. Which kinds of genes are mutated in this A In case of obesity and related heart problems.
process? B Generation of extra heat and related discomfort during
A Oncogenes summers.
B Tumor suppressor genes
C Dental caries.
C Protooncogenes
D Degeneration of different tissues/organs in case of
D All of the above
E B&C diabetes mellitus.
E Sugar is not a poison.
8 Genotoxicity always leads to carcinogenesis/cancer.
A True 12 Use of performance enhancing drugs is illegal, but the drugs itself
B False are not toxic to health at all.
A True
9 DNA damage generally results in __________. B False
A Cancer formation
B Unregulated cell proliferation 13 Assume all the types of Ultra Violet (UV) rays (A, B and C)
C Teratogenicity reaches down to the earth. Which of them all will be most damaging to
D Reproductive system damage the life?
E Cytotoxicity A UV C
B UV A
C UV B
D UV A and C are equally damaging
E UV A and B are equally damaging
14 Skin cancer is one of the major toxic effects of the UV exposure. 18 What is the common mechanism of action of most of the plant
What is/are the other major health effect/s? based products?
A Osteoporosis A Hormesis
B Alopecia B Antioxidant activity
C Cataract C Oxidative stress induction
D Hyperpigmentation D Molecular mechanisms
E Contact dermatitis E B&D

15 Which one of the following is not an ionizing radiation? 19 Alternative medicine includes only herbal medicine.
A X rays A True
B infrared rays B False
C Gamma rays
D UV rays 20 Herbal formulations are always safe and do not need any
E Alpha rays toxicological evaluation and regulation.
A False
16 Chemical carcinogenesis has following stages (select all that B True
applies).
A Initiation
B Immigration
C Promotion
D Metastasis
E Progression

17 Which of the following is a non-solid tumor?

A Mesothelioma
B Renal cell carcinoma
C leukemia
D Basal cell carcinoma
E Breast cancer
Answer keys MCQs Set 10:
1. A
2. D – Other statements are associated with ‘toxicokinetics’ where
movement of toxicants is observed in order to study what body does to
the toxicants.

3. C
4. C
5. D
6. C
7. E
8. B
9. E
10. C
11. D Bibliography
12. B
13. A – UV C has shortest wave length and highest energy level in UV
group and, UV B comes second and the UV A is third in the order.
However, in natural conditions only UV A reaches to the ground in
significant amount, which is damaging to the life. Ozone layer filters out
UV C completely and UV B partially.

14. C
15. B
16. A,C,D,E
17. C
18. E
19. B
20. A
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Bibliography

• A small Dose of Toxicology (Second Edition). Steven G. Gilbert.

Healthy World Press, US, 2012.

• A text book of modern toxicology (Third Edition). Ernest Hodgson

(Ed) John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Hoboken, New Jersey, 2004.

• Casarett and Doull’s Toxicology: The Basic Science of Poisons

(Seventh Edition). Curtis D. Klaassen (Ed). McGraw-Hill, New York,
2008.

• Lu’s Basic Toxicology: Fundamentals, Target Organs, and Risk

Assessment (Fifth Edition). Lu FC, and Kacew S. Informa Healthcare
USA, Inc., New York, 2009.

• Principles Of Toxicology: Environmental and Industrial Applications

(Second Edition). Williams PL, James RC, Roberts SM (Eds). John
Wiley & Sons, New York, 2000.

• Glossary Of Terms Used In Toxicology, 2nd Edition (IUPAC

Recommendations 2007), International Union Of Pure And Applied
Chemistry, Chemistry And Human Health Division. Duffus HS,
Nordberg M and Templeton DM. Pure and Applied Chemistry,
Vol.79, No.7, pp.1153–1344, 2007.