Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Sulfur Assimilation01:20

Sulfur Assimilation

562
Sulfur is an essential element in biological systems, contributing to synthesizing key biomolecules, including amino acids such as cysteine and methionine, and cofactors such as coenzyme A and biotin. Microorganisms primarily assimilate sulfur as sulfate (SO₄²⁻) from the environment, which must undergo a series of biochemical transformations before it can be incorporated into cellular components. As sulfate is highly oxidized, it must undergo assimilatory sulfate reduction to...
562
Physical Properties of Amines01:26

Physical Properties of Amines

3.2K
Amines with low molecular weight are usually gaseous at room temperature, while those with high molecular weight are liquid or solids in nature. Usually, low molecular weight amines have a rotten fish-like smell. Diamines typically have a pungent smell. For instance, cadaverine and putrescine, depicted in Figure 1, are two molecules responsible for decaying tissue.
3.2K
The Periodic Table and Organismal Elements00:57

The Periodic Table and Organismal Elements

161.6K
OverviewElements 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...
161.6K
The Periodic Table and Organismal Elements01:27

The Periodic Table and Organismal Elements

18.5K
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...
18.5K
Toxicity Testing in Animals01:23

Toxicity Testing in Animals

222
Toxicity tests in animals are grounded on two main assumptions: first, the effects observed in laboratory animals can be extrapolated to humans, especially when adjusted for body surface area; second, high-dose exposure in animals is essential to identify potential human hazards from lower doses. This is based on the quantal dose-response concept, which faces the challenge of extrapolating results from relatively few test animals to much larger human populations. For example, a 0.01% incidence...
222
Minerals01:26

Minerals

1.7K
Minerals are essential nutrients that the human body needs in small amounts to work properly. They play a vital role in many bodily functions, such as building strong bones and transmitting nerve impulses. Some minerals are needed for hormone production or to maintain a normal heartbeat. Major minerals include calcium, phosphorus, potassium, sulfur, sodium, chlorine, and magnesium, while trace minerals include iron, manganese, copper, iodine, zinc, cobalt, fluoride, and selenium.
 
Major...
1.7K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Interaction between nickel and iron in the rat.

Biological trace element research·2013
Same author

Arsenic possibly influences carcinogenesis by affecting arginine and zinc metabolism.

Biological trace element research·2013
Same author

Interactions among vanadium, iron, and cystine in rats growth, blood parameters, and organ Wt/body Wt ratios.

Biological trace element research·2013
Same author

Effects in chicks of arsenic, arginine, and zinc and their interaction on body weight, plasma uric acid, plasma urea, and kidney arginase activity.

Biological trace element research·2013
Same author

Selenium deficiency in Fisher-344 rats decreases plasma and tissue homocysteine concentrations and alters plasma homocysteine and cysteine redox status.

The Journal of nutrition·2002
Same author

Interaction between zinc and iron in rats: experimental results and mathematical analysis of blood parameters.

Biological trace element research·2001
Same journal

Exploring the potential health risks of groundwater arsenic and its spatial distribution in three districts (Patna, Bhojpur and Saran) of Bihar, India.

Environmental geochemistry and health·2026
Same journal

Potential toxic elements partitioning in soil and grains and human health risks in a CKDu-endemic region of Sri Lanka.

Environmental geochemistry and health·2026
Same journal

Machine learning-based simulation of groundwater DIC distribution and source apportionment.

Environmental geochemistry and health·2026
Same journal

Composite desirability-based multi-objective optimization of textile-dye biodegradation by novel Brevundimonas sp. AJZ05: mechanistic and phytotoxicity insights.

Environmental geochemistry and health·2026
Same journal

Apatite-doped cyanobacterial biochar for treating smelting site pollution: A "win-win" strategy for cyanobacteria resource recovery and heavy metal mitigation.

Environmental geochemistry and health·2026
Same journal

Hydrogeochemical signatures and pollution sources in limestone mining landscapes: environmental and health risk perspectives.

Environmental geochemistry and health·2026
See all related articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 6, 2026

In Vitro Scratch Assay to Demonstrate Effects of Arsenic on Skin Cell Migration
09:24

In Vitro Scratch Assay to Demonstrate Effects of Arsenic on Skin Cell Migration

Published on: February 23, 2019

23.8K

Evidence for arsenic essentiality.

E O Uthus1

  • 1United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Grand Forks Human Nutrition Research Center, University Station, PO Box 7166, 58202-7166, Grand Forks, ND, USA.

Environmental Geochemistry and Health
|November 8, 2013
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Arsenic is an essential nutrient, vital for methionine metabolism, affecting taurine and polyamine levels. Animal studies suggest a potential human requirement of 12 μg daily, with typical diets providing 12-40 μg.

More Related Videos

Determination of Inorganic Arsenic in a Wide Range of Food Matrices using Hydride Generation - Atomic Absorption Spectrometry.
08:21

Determination of Inorganic Arsenic in a Wide Range of Food Matrices using Hydride Generation - Atomic Absorption Spectrometry.

Published on: September 1, 2017

17.3K
Assessment of Chemical Toxicity in Adult Drosophila Melanogaster
07:02

Assessment of Chemical Toxicity in Adult Drosophila Melanogaster

Published on: March 24, 2023

4.9K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 6, 2026

In Vitro Scratch Assay to Demonstrate Effects of Arsenic on Skin Cell Migration
09:24

In Vitro Scratch Assay to Demonstrate Effects of Arsenic on Skin Cell Migration

Published on: February 23, 2019

23.8K
Determination of Inorganic Arsenic in a Wide Range of Food Matrices using Hydride Generation - Atomic Absorption Spectrometry.
08:21

Determination of Inorganic Arsenic in a Wide Range of Food Matrices using Hydride Generation - Atomic Absorption Spectrometry.

Published on: September 1, 2017

17.3K
Assessment of Chemical Toxicity in Adult Drosophila Melanogaster
07:02

Assessment of Chemical Toxicity in Adult Drosophila Melanogaster

Published on: March 24, 2023

4.9K

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Nutritional Science
  • Toxicology

Background:

  • Arsenic's essential nutrient status is supported by animal studies, but its precise physiological role remains unclear.
  • Emerging research suggests arsenic influences key metabolites in methionine metabolism, including taurine and polyamines.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the physiological role of arsenic in nutrient metabolism.
  • To explore the impact of arsenic deprivation on specific metabolic pathways and compounds.

Main Methods:

  • Animal models (rats, hamsters, chicks) were used to study the effects of arsenic deprivation.
  • Measurements included plasma taurine concentrations and hepatic polyamine levels.
  • Enzyme activity assays were performed for S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase.

Main Results:

  • Arsenic deprivation led to decreased plasma taurine concentrations in rats and hamsters.
  • Hepatic polyamine concentrations and S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase activity were reduced in arsenic-deprived rats.
  • These effects were particularly pronounced under conditions of metabolic stress.

Conclusions:

  • Arsenic plays a significant physiological role, particularly in methionine metabolism.
  • Evidence suggests arsenic is essential, especially during metabolic stress like pregnancy or nutritional deficiencies.
  • Estimated nutritional requirements for humans are derived from animal data, suggesting a potential daily need of 12 μg.