OHST Practice Exam

Which term refers to the capacity of a chemical to harm a living organism?

1. Illness

2. Toxicity

3. Injury

4. Pollution

The correct answer is: Toxicity

Toxicity is the term that refers specifically to the capacity of a chemical to cause harm to living organisms. It encompasses the nature of the chemical itself, the dose or concentration involved, and the potential for adverse effects on biological systems. Understanding toxicity is crucial in fields like pharmacology, toxicology, and environmental science, where the effects of substances on living organisms are studied. By contrast, illness refers to a broader range of health conditions and symptoms and does not specifically address the damaging effects of chemicals. Injury relates to physical harm or damage to a living organism but does not fully capture the concept of harmful substances and their effects. Pollution refers to the presence of harmful substances in the environment, which may include toxic chemicals, but it is a more general term that does not exclusively focus on the harmful capacity of a single chemical on living organisms. Thus, toxicity is the most precise term for describing the harmful effects of chemicals in biological contexts.