The spelling of the term "lethal dose" is straightforward when broken down phonetically. The word "lethal" begins with the /l/ sound, followed by a short /e/ sound, and ends with an /əl/ sound. The "dose" section of the word begins with a /d/ sound, followed by a long /o/ sound, and ends with a /s/ sound. When pronounced together, the stress falls on the first syllable, creating the proper pronunciation of "LEE-thuhl dohs." This term refers to the amount of a substance that is capable of causing death.
A lethal dose refers to the amount or concentration of a substance that is sufficient to cause death when ingested, inhaled, or otherwise absorbed into the body. It represents the threshold at which the toxicity of a substance becomes fatal.
The term is often used in contexts related to pharmacology, toxicology, and medicine. It is crucial in determining the toxicity level of a substance and assessing its health risks. The lethal dose value may vary depending on the specific compound, administration route, and the susceptibility of the individual or animal being exposed.
When studying the effects of a particular substance, researchers conduct studies to determine the lethal dose through experiments on animals or through human case studies, if available. An LD50 (lethal dose 50) is a commonly used measurement that refers to the amount of a substance required to cause death in 50% of the test population. This statistical measure provides relative toxicity information and helps establish safety guidelines for human exposure.
The concept of a lethal dose also plays a significant role in the production and regulation of pharmaceutical drugs, chemicals, pesticides, and other hazardous substances. The information obtained from lethal dose studies helps authorities determine appropriate warnings and safety measures, as well as inform emergency response protocols in cases of accidental or intentional poisoning or overdose.
One likely to cause death.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "lethal" comes from the Late Latin word "letalis", meaning "deadly" or "fatal". It was derived from the Latin verb "letum", which means "death". The term "dose", on the other hand, originates from the Late Latin word "dosa", meaning "portion" or "quantity". It ultimately traces back to the Latin verb "darē", which means "to give". Therefore, the expression "lethal dose" refers to the amount of a substance that is deadly or fatal when administered or consumed.