BIO2242 Lecture Notes - Lecture 23: Fathead Minnow, Pimephales, Ecotoxicology
Lecture 23 – Effect of chemical pollutants on animal structure and function
What is ecotoxicology?
• Discipline that combines ecology ‘interactions that determine the distribution
and abundance of organisms’
o Whole population and ecosystem
Toxicology
• Study of the adverse physiochemical effects of chemical, physical or
biological agents on living organisms
o Organism level
Mode of Action (MoA)
• Different in different chemical pollutants → functions differently
• Describes a functional or anatomical change at the cellular level, resulting
from the exposure of a living organism to a substance
Biomarker
• A measurable indicator of a specific biological state, usually used as an
indicator of exposure to chemical pollution
• E.g. vitellogenin
Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs)
• Natural or synthetic compounds that can mimic or disturb endocrine system
• Interfere with endocrinology by affecting
o Synthesis
o Storage
o Release
o Transport
o Clearance
o Receptor recognition of hormones
• Can bind directly to the receptors as agonists or antagonists, thus enhancing or
inhibiting the effect of a hormone
Serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
• Pharmaceuticals that have been designed to inhibit the reuptake of
neurotransmitter serotonin
Chemical pollutants and their impact on wildlife
• Case Study 1: EE2
o In Canada
o 7 year study, whole lake exposure (3 lays)
▪ 1 chemical, 2 conttrols
▪ 1999-2001 – monitored lakes
▪ 2001, added chemicals
o Model compound: EE2 – how it effects ecosystem of lake
o Study species: fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas)
o Different trophic levels
▪ Added chemical over three years
find more resources at oneclass.com
find more resources at oneclass.com
Document Summary
Lecture 23 effect of chemical pollutants on animal structure and function. What is ecotoxicology: discipline that combines ecology interactions that determine the distribution and abundance of organisms", whole population and ecosystem. Toxicology: study of the adverse physiochemical effects of chemical, physical or biological agents on living organisms, organism level. Mode of action (moa: different in different chemical pollutants functions differently, describes a functional or anatomical change at the cellular level, resulting from the exposure of a living organism to a substance. Biomarker: a measurable indicator of a specific biological state, usually used as an indicator of exposure to chemical pollution, e. g. vitellogenin. Endocrine disrupting chemicals (edcs: natural or synthetic compounds that can mimic or disturb endocrine system. Interfere with endocrinology by affecting: synthesis, storage, release, transport, clearance, receptor recognition of hormones, can bind directly to the receptors as agonists or antagonists, thus enhancing or inhibiting the effect of a hormone.
