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Related Concept Videos

The Periodic Table and Organismal Elements00:57

The Periodic Table and Organismal Elements

Elements are the smallest units of matter that cannot be broken down further by chemical processes. There are 118 known elements, but not all of these are naturally-occurring, and fewer still are essential for life. Living matter is composed primarily of carbon, nitrogen, hydrogen, and oxygen, with smaller amounts of other elements like calcium, phosphorus, potassium, and sulfur. Other elements are also necessary for life but only in trace amounts.The Periodic Table Provides Information about...
Radioactivity and Nuclear Equations03:18

Radioactivity and Nuclear Equations

Nuclear chemistry is the study of reactions that involve changes in nuclear structure. The nucleus of an atom is composed of protons and, except for hydrogen, neutrons. The number of protons in the nucleus is called the atomic number (Z) of the element, and the sum of the number of protons and the number of neutrons is the mass number (A). Atoms with the same atomic number but different mass numbers are isotopes of the same element.
A nuclide of an element has a specific number of protons and...
Nuclear Transmutation03:20

Nuclear Transmutation

Nuclear transmutation is the conversion of one nuclide into another. It can occur by the radioactive decay of a nucleus, or the reaction of a nucleus with another particle. The first manmade nucleus was produced in Ernest Rutherford’s laboratory in 1919 by a transmutation reaction, the bombardment of one type of nuclei with other nuclei or with neutrons. Rutherford bombarded nitrogen-14 atoms with high-speed α particles from a natural radioactive isotope of radium and observed protons being...
The Periodic Table and Organismal Elements01:27

The Periodic Table and Organismal Elements

Elements are the smallest units of matter that cannot be broken down further by chemical processes. There are 118 known elements, but not all of these are naturally occurring, and only a few of them are essential for life. Living matter is composed primarily of carbon, nitrogen, hydrogen, and oxygen, with smaller amounts of other elements like calcium, phosphorus, potassium, and sulfur. Other elements are also necessary for life but only in trace amounts.
Periodic Table Provides Information...
Imperfections in Crystal Structure: Non-Stoichiometric Defects01:29

Imperfections in Crystal Structure: Non-Stoichiometric Defects

Non-stoichiometric defects refer to a type of defect in the crystal structure of a compound where the ratio of its constituent elements deviates from the ideal stoichiometric ratio. There are two main types of non-stoichiometric defects: metal excess defects and metal deficiency defects.Metal excess defects occur when there is a slight surplus of metal ions than what is required by the stoichiometric ratio of the compound. For example, heating a sodium chloride crystal in sodium vapor results...
Other Unique Bacteria01:18

Other Unique Bacteria

Magnetic bacteria exhibit a directed movement called magnetotaxis, driven by structures called magnetosomes. These magnetosomes consist of chains of magnetic particles made of either magnetite (Fe₃O₄) or greigite (Fe₃S₄) and are organized in a linear conformation by a protein scaffold within invaginations of the cell membrane. The bacteria align along the north–south magnetic field lines, much like a compass needle. They are typically microaerophilic or anaerobic and are commonly found near the...

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Oral Biofilm Formation on Different Materials for Dental Implants
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Oral Biofilm Formation on Different Materials for Dental Implants

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Zirconium. An abnormal trace element in biology.

S Ghosh1, A Sharma, G Talukder

  • 1Department of Botany, University of Calcutta, India.

Biological Trace Element Research
|December 1, 1992
PubMed
Summary

Zirconium (Zr) is common in nature and accumulates in tissues, crossing barriers into the brain and milk. Despite moderate toxicity, its biological role remains unclear, prompting further study due to increased exposure.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Science
  • Toxicology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Zirconium (Zr) is a ubiquitous element found in nature, exceeding many trace elements.
  • Plants absorb Zr from soil and water, accumulating it in specific tissues.
  • Zr enters animal systems based on exposure route and environmental concentration, with initial soft tissue and subsequent bone retention.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the enigmatic action of Zirconium (Zr) on biological systems.
  • To understand Zr's uptake, distribution, and retention in vivo.
  • To assess the toxicological profile and potential metabolic functions of Zr, especially given increasing human exposure.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review on Zirconium's biological interactions.
  • Analysis of histological and cytological studies on Zr toxicity.

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Co-localizing Kelvin Probe Force Microscopy with Other Microscopies and Spectroscopies: Selected Applications in Corrosion Characterization of Alloys
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Co-localizing Kelvin Probe Force Microscopy with Other Microscopies and Spectroscopies: Selected Applications in Corrosion Characterization of Alloys

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  • Examination of Zr's distribution across biological barriers (blood-brain, placental).

    • Main Results:

    • Zr is readily taken up by plants and accumulates in animal tissues, including bone, brain, and milk.
    • Zr can cross the blood-brain and placental barriers.
    • Toxicity is generally moderate and effects at high concentrations are nonspecific.
    • No specific metabolic function has been identified for Zr.

    Conclusions:

    • Zirconium (Zr) is neither an essential nor a conventionally toxic element.
    • Zr's accumulation in the brain warrants further investigation, particularly concerning potential neurotoxic effects.
    • Increased use of Zr in materials and radioactive fallout necessitates a deeper understanding of its biological impact.