Xenobiotic Encyclopedia Article

Xenobiotic

The following sections of this BookRags Literature Study Guide is offprint from Gale's For Students Series: Presenting Analysis, Context, and Criticism on Commonly Studied Works: Introduction, Author Biography, Plot Summary, Characters, Themes, Style, Historical Context, Critical Overview, Criticism and Critical Essays, Media Adaptations, Topics for Further Study, Compare & Contrast, What Do I Read Next?, For Further Study, and Sources.

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The following sections, if they exist, are offprint from Beacham's Encyclopedia of Popular Fiction: "Social Concerns", "Thematic Overview", "Techniques", "Literary Precedents", "Key Questions", "Related Titles", "Adaptations", "Related Web Sites". (c)1994-2005, by Walton Beacham.

The following sections, if they exist, are offprint from Beacham's Guide to Literature for Young Adults: "About the Author", "Overview", "Setting", "Literary Qualities", "Social Sensitivity", "Topics for Discussion", "Ideas for Reports and Papers". (c)1994-2005, by Walton Beacham.

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Xenobiotic

Designating a foreign and usually harmful substance or organism in a biological system. Xenobiotic, derived from the Greek root xeno, meaning "stranger" or "foreign," and bio, meaning "life," describes some toxic substances, parasites, and symbionts. Food, drugs, and poisons are examples of xenobiotic substances in individual organisms, and their toxicity is linked to the level of consumption. In communities or species, xenobiosis happens when two distinct species, such as different kinds of ants, share living space like nests. At the ecosystem level, toxic waste, when bioaccumulated in the food chain/web,is xenobiotic.

See Also

Bioaccumulation; Hazardous Waste; Symbiosis