Outline the structure and functions of the liver (including its role in metabolism)
Explain what is meant by 'adaptation' and its toxicological significance
Explain what is meant by hepatic enzyme induction
Explain why the liver is commonly a target organ for toxicity, and how it responds to chemical injury (necrosis, cirrhosis, steatosis, cholestasis and hepatocarcinogenesis)
Describe the common indicators of liver injury and how they should be interpreted (e.g. decreased albumin levels, elevated alkaline phosphatase, etc)
The kidney as a target organ
Outline the structure and function of the kidneys
Describe the filtration, re-absorption and secretion processes and their role in excretion
Explain why the kidneys are a common target organ for toxicity
Explain the difference between acute and chronic renal failure with specific examples of chemicals which cause this type of effect
Describe the approach which is taken in the assessment of renal injury/function and the interpretation of the results
The nervous system as a target organ
Outline the structure and function of the nervous system (central nervous system, peripheral nervous system, the cells of the nervous system and the blood brain barrier)
List the main cells of the nervous system and their respective roles
Describe how information is transmitted within the nervous system (development of action potentials and neurotransmitters)
Explain what happens and the synapse and the role of neurotransmitters
Describe the ways in which the nervous system can be a target organ for toxicity (including neuronopathy, axonopathy, myelinopathy, interference with chemical transmitters)
Outline the approach which is taken to assess the potential neurotoxicological effects (including developmental neurotoxicity)
