Toxic Metals and Their Effects

This set of flashcards covers key concepts related to toxic metals, their physiological impacts, and their reactivity.

Lead

A metal that substitutes for essential metals like calcium in the body, compromising neuronal signaling and physiological processes.

Neurotransmission

The process of transmitting signals across synapses in the nervous system, which can be altered by toxic substances like lead.

Reactive Oxygen Species

Unstable molecules formed in the body that can damage cellular components, leading to cell stress and death.

Mercury

A toxic metal known for its harmful effects, particularly within the felt-hat industry, causing 'Mad Hatter' disease.

Mad Hatter Disease

A condition characterized by personality changes, emotional instability, and tremors caused by mercury poisoning.

Protein Binding

The interaction of mercury with specific protein sites, distorting their 3D shapes and disabling their functions.

Alkali Metals

Elements in the first column of the periodic table characterized by high reactivity due to a single electron in their outer shell.

Cesium

An alkali metal that spontaneously ignites in air and explosively reacts with water.

Francium

An extremely reactive alkali metal predicted to be more reactive than cesium, notable for its extreme radioactivity and brief half-life.