Which term denotes the extent or degree to which a substance is poisonous or harmful to the body?

Which term denotes the extent or degree to which a substance is poisonous or harmful to the body?

• A. Anatomy
• B. Toxicity
• C. Physiology
• D. Pharmacodynamics

Answer: (B)

Toxicity is the extent or degree to which a substance is poisonous or harmful to the body. In toxicology, toxicity describes the adverse effects a substance can cause, often tied to the dose—the more exposure, the greater the potential harm. This term specifically captures how harmful something can be, which is what the question is asking for. By contrast, anatomy focuses on the structure of the body, physiology on how body parts function, and pharmacodynamics on how drugs produce their effects in the body (therapeutic and adverse). An example is a drug that becomes toxic at high doses, illustrating toxicity as the measure of harm.

Toxicity is the extent or degree to which a substance is poisonous or harmful to the body. In toxicology, toxicity describes the adverse effects a substance can cause, often tied to the dose—the more exposure, the greater the potential harm. This term specifically captures how harmful something can be, which is what the question is asking for. By contrast, anatomy focuses on the structure of the body, physiology on how body parts function, and pharmacodynamics on how drugs produce their effects in the body (therapeutic and adverse). An example is a drug that becomes toxic at high doses, illustrating toxicity as the measure of harm.