10. Glossary

Bioactivation

Formation of more reactive and toxic intermediates (metabolites) by detoxification mechanisms of a chemical substance.

Bioavailability

Bioavailability is the ability of a substance to cross physiological barriers, enter the bloodstream, be distributed throughout the body and come into contact with the various organs.

Dalton

Unit of mass often used by biochemists that corresponds to the mass of a hydrogen atom.

Half-life

Half-life is the time it takes for a substance (molecule, drug or other) to lose half its pharmacological or physiological activity.

Genotoxic

A substance that can cause damage to DNA, leading to genetic modifications and mutations....