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Essential and Trace Elements in Biological Systems, Toxic Effects of Metals

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111 views20 pages

Essential and Trace Elements in Biological Systems, Toxic Effects of Metals

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syinoanna06
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
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ESSENTIAL AND TRACE

ELEMENTS IN BIOLOGICAL
SYSTEMS, TOXIC EFFECTS OF
METALS
(Cd, Hg, Cr, Pb, As)
ESSENTIAL AND TRACE ELEMENTS IN BIOLOGICAL SYSTEMS

• Essential Element is that is an element, absolutely required


for maintenance of life; it’s absence results in severe malfunction of the
organism or death.

• Other elements which have no positive role in biological


system are called Non-essential Elements.
?
TRACE ELEMENTS?
TRACE ELEMENTS

• Fe
• Cu
• Co
• Zn
• Cr
• Ni etc.
TOXIC ELEMENTS
• There are number of chemicals
present in the environment , some of
these are toxic and the rest are
nontoxic. Cd, Hg, Cr, Pb, As are toxic
elements.
Because of the chemical similarity to zinc,
cadmium occurs in almost all zinc ores .Growing
plants need zinc and they also may take up
cadmium and thus cadmium enters into our
foodchain. The major portion of the cadmium
indigested in our body is trapped in the kidney
and eliminated.
A small fraction of cadmium in the body is
bound effectively by the sulphur containing
protein like metallothionins .The rest of the
cadmium is stored in the body and gradually
accumulates with age.
When excessive amount of Cd2+ it replaces
Zn2+ at enzymatic sites causing metabolic
disorders.
The outbreak of cadmium poisoning occurred in Japan in the form of “ouch-ouch” disease.
Many people suffered from this disease in which their bone becomes fragile .The initial
symptom of this disease were pain and rheumatism. Later skeletal deformations took place
as a result of softening of bones (osteomalacia). Finally bones of the victims becomes brittle
and shattered accompanied by pain .
At high levels cadmium causes bone marrow diseases.
Mercury occurs in the environment as metallic
Hg and Hg2+ .

Elemental mercury is nontoxic and fairly


inert .If swallowed it is excreted without serious
damage.

Mercuric ion that is Hg2+ is fairly toxic because


it has high affinity for SH group of aminoacids
and proteins.CH3Hg is soluble in fat, lipid and
brain tissues .The most dangerous aspect is its
ability to cross through the placental barrier
and enter to foetal tissue .
• The presence of mercury in cell membranes
will inhibit active transport of sugar across
membranes and allow the passage of K+ to
the membrane.
In the case of brain cells this will results in
the energy deficiency in the cells decreases
the transmission of nerve impulses.

The toxicity of mercury is first reported in


Japan in 1953. At minamata bay in Japan
more than 100 people lost their lives and
1000s permanently paralysed from eating
mercury contaminated fish .
• Another tragic report of mercury poisoning
occurred in the year 1972 in Iraq where 450
villagers died after eating wheat which has
been dustered with mercury containing
pesticides.
BIOLOGICAL METHYLATION AND
AMPLIFICATION IN FOOD CHAINS;

Mercury
Mercuric ion Hg2+
Methyl mercury
Plankton
Small fish
Large fish
Man
• Essential involved in glucose metabolism
and diabetes; potentiates effect of insulin.
• Highly toxic as Cr(VI) ; carcinogenic
• Moderately toxic as Cr(III)
Pb

Lead paints is the major source of lead .The


major biochemical effect is its interference with
heme synthesis which leads to haematological
damage.
Lead inhibits several enzymes involved in the
overall process of heme synthesis where by the
metabolic intermediates accumulates. One such
intermediate is o-aminolevulinic acid .An
intermediate phase of heme synthesis is the
conversion of o-aminolevulinic acid to
porphobilinogen .
Lead inhibit the acid enzyme so that it cannot proceed further to form
porphobilinogen. The overall effect is the disruption of the synthesis of haemoglobin
as well as other related respiratory molecules such as cytochromes.
At higher levels of lead in the blood there will be symptom of anaemia due to the
deficiency of haemoglobin. At elevated Pb levels, kidney malfunctioning and damage
of brain takes place. Bones act as storage of lead accumulated in the body. This lead
may be remobilised along with phosphates from the bones which exert a toxic effect
when transported to softer tissues.
Lead poisoning can be cured by calcium chelate solutions like calcium EDTA chelate .
As
• Essential ultra trace element in red
algae, chick, rat, pig, goat and
probably humans
• Deficiency results in depressed growth
and increased mortality
• Moderately toxic to plants.
• Highly toxic to mammals.
Which of the following statements is TRUE regarding the
toxicity of mercury?

A) Elemental mercury (Hg) is highly toxic and causes severe damage when
swallowed.
B) Mercuric ion (Hg²⁺) is non-toxic and does not interact with biological molecules.
C) Methylmercury (CH₃Hg) is soluble in fats, lipids, and brain tissues, and can cross
the placental barrier.
D) Mercury in cell membranes facilitates the active transport of sugars across
membranes
C) Methylmercury (CH₃Hg) is
soluble in fats, lipids, and brain
tissues, and can cross the
placental barrier.
Which of the following is a consequence of
elevated lead (Pb) levels in the body?

A) Lead enhances the production of


hemoglobin and cytochromes.
B) Anemia can occur due to the disruption of
hemoglobin synthesis.
C) Lead is stored in soft tissues and never
accumulates in bones.
D) Lead poisoning cannot be treated with
calcium chelate solutions.
B) Anemia can occur
due to the disruption of
hemoglobin synthesis.
Thank
you

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