What does biotransformation refer to in toxicology?

Biotransformation in toxicology refers to the process by which toxicants are chemically modified within a biological system. This often involves their metabolism, where the body alters the chemical structure of the toxicants. The primary goal of biotransformation is to facilitate the elimination of these substances, typically making them less toxic or more easily excretable from the organism. Although this process can lead to either detoxification (making a substance less harmful) or bioactivation (transforming it into a harmful substance), it fundamentally involves converting the toxicants into different chemical forms.

Focusing on the correct choice, the process of biotransformation can involve various metabolic pathways, including oxidation, reduction, hydrolysis, and conjugation, which result in new compounds. These resulting compounds can sometimes have different properties than the original toxicants, which may influence their toxicity and how the body handles them.

Understanding biotransformation is critical in toxicology because it helps assess the risks associated with exposure to various substances and informs safety standards and regulations regarding chemical use.