cytotoxic

Thân thiện

A scientist observes cytotoxic compounds affecting cancer cells under a microscope.

Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Toxic to cells: Describes substances, agents, or effects that are poisonous or destructive to living cells, often used in the context of medicine and biology.

Usage

• The word "cytotoxic" is primarily used as a scientific and medical adjective to describe drugs, chemicals, or immune responses that cause cell damage or death.
• It is typically used before a noun it modifies (e.g., cytotoxic drugs, cytotoxic effects).

Examples

• Adjective:
  • Chemotherapy involves the use of cytotoxic drugs to kill cancer cells.
  • The study measured the cytotoxic effects of the new compound on healthy tissue.
  • Some lymphocytes have cytotoxic functions in the immune system.

Advanced Usage

• "Cytotoxic T cell" (or Cytotoxic T lymphocyte): A type of white blood cell that can kill infected or cancerous cells.
  • Cytotoxic T cells are crucial for the body's defense against viruses.

Variants and Related Words

• Cytotoxicity (noun): The quality or degree of being cytotoxic; cell-killing potential.
  • Researchers tested the compound's cytotoxicity in the lab.

Synonyms

• Cell-killing
• Cytocidal (specifically causing cell death)

Antonyms

• Cytoprotective (protecting cells from damage)
• Nontoxic (not poisonous)

Học thuật

Adjective

1. of or relating to substances that are toxic to cells