In toxicity assessment, methodologies include in vivo, in vitro, and in silico techniques. Each approach offers insights into how substances interact with biological systems.
In Vivo Methods: These involve testing on live animals to observe the systemic effects of chemicals. Common in vivo tests include LD50 (lethal dose) studies, which determine the dose that kills 50% of the test population. In Vitro Methods: These use isolated cells or tissues to assess toxicity, providing a controlled environment to study mechanisms of action. Examples include cytotoxicity assays and genotoxicity tests. In Silico Methods: Computational models and simulations predict toxicity based on chemical structure and known biological interactions, offering a cost-effective alternative to physical testing.
