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LD50

Definition

LD50 stands for "lethal dose 50" and refers to the amount of a substance that is estimated to be lethal to 50% of the test population. It is commonly used in toxicology studies to determine the toxicity level of a substance.

Analogy

Imagine you have a bag of candy and you want to know how much candy it takes for half of your friends to get sick. The amount of candy that makes exactly half of them sick is like the LD50 - it helps us understand how harmful or toxic something can be.

Related terms

Dose-response studies: These studies examine the relationship between the dose (amount) of a substance given and its effect on an organism. They help determine how different doses affect individuals or populations.

Median lethal dose: Similar to LD50, this term refers specifically to the dose at which 50% of test subjects die. It is often used interchangeably with LD50 in toxicology research.

Toxicity: This term describes the degree or extent to which a substance can harm living organisms. It considers both the concentration and exposure time, helping us understand how dangerous a substance may be.