A toxin that causes liver damage is called what?

• A. Nephrotoxin
• B. Hepatotoxin
• C. Neurotoxin
• D. Hematopoietic toxin

Answer: (B)

The main idea is how toxins are named by the organ they harm. A toxin that damages the liver is called a hepatotoxin. Here, “hepato-” refers to the liver, so this term specifically designates substances that injure hepatic tissue, disrupt liver function, or cause liver-related illness. In practice, hepatotoxins are a key concern in occupational health because exposures to them can lead to elevated liver enzymes, impaired metabolism, and even liver failure.

The other terms point to different targets: a nephrotoxin harms the kidneys, a neurotoxin affects the nervous system, and a hematopoietic toxin impacts blood-forming tissues (like bone marrow). They don’t describe liver-specific injury, which is why hepatotoxin is the correct choice.