Chemistry 226 - Poisons: Death by Chemistry

This course will look at the effect of poisons at the molecular, cellular, and physiological levels from the chemistry and biochemistry perspective. We will discuss: the classification of poisons and the common structural elements of the molecules within each class; the interaction of toxic molecules with proteins and nucleic acids present in the cell; the physiologic effect of toxins on different systems of the body; dosage effects and pharmacokinetics; the mechanisms by which antidotes work; and the analytical techniques that toxicologists use to determine which poisons are present in the body. The different classes of proteins will be discussed in the context of historical case studies.