Citotoxicitása

Citotoxicitása refers to the degree to which a substance or agent can damage or kill cells. It is a measure of toxicity at the cellular level. Substances exhibiting citotoxicitása can harm cells through various mechanisms, including disrupting cell membrane integrity, interfering with essential cellular processes like DNA replication or protein synthesis, or inducing programmed cell death (apoptosis). The level of citotoxicitása is often determined through in vitro studies using cell cultures, where cells are exposed to different concentrations of the substance. Quantifying citotoxicitása helps in understanding the potential harmful effects of chemicals, drugs, or environmental toxins on biological systems. It plays a crucial role in toxicology, pharmacology, and environmental health assessments, informing decisions about safety, dosage, and risk management. Different cell types may exhibit varying degrees of sensitivity to a toxic agent, meaning the citotoxicitása can be cell-type specific.