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Related Concept Videos

The Periodic Table and Organismal Elements00:57

The Periodic Table and Organismal Elements

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...
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...
Types of Toxins01:36

Types of Toxins

Humans continually engage with an environment rich in potentially harmful chemicals. These are introduced to our bodies through inhalation, ingestion, or skin contact. These chemicals exist in various forms, such as air and environmental pollutants, agricultural chemicals, organic solvents, and heavy metals.
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Environmental pollutants like...
Toxic Reactions: Overview01:26

Toxic Reactions: Overview

When toxic substances penetrate the human body, they disseminate to various tissues, undergoing metabolic changes. This process yields reactive metabolites that may covalently bind with specific target molecules, resulting in toxicity.
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Drug Toxicity: Risk factors01:24

Drug Toxicity: Risk factors

Adverse Drug Reactions (ADRs) are potential complications that arise during pharmacotherapy, influenced by multiple risk factors. Age plays a significant role; both neonates and the elderly are at heightened risk due to their respective immature and diminished metabolic and elimination processes. Gender also impacts ADRs, with females experiencing a 1.5 to 1.7-fold greater risk than males, which may be linked to pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic, and hormonal differences. Notably, neonates, the...
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Stress Prevention and Stress Management Techniques IV

Stress often leads to unhealthy habits like smoking, excessive drinking, and overeating, which offer short-term relief but ultimately increase long-term health risks. These behaviors create a cycle that temporarily lowers stress levels but can result in severe long-term health consequences. Breaking these habits is essential to reduce the risk of chronic diseases and improve overall well-being. Three primary changes that support better health include quitting smoking, reducing alcohol intake,...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 25, 2026

Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Based Developmental Toxicity Assays for Chemical Safety Screening and Systems Biology Data Generation
17:28

Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Based Developmental Toxicity Assays for Chemical Safety Screening and Systems Biology Data Generation

Published on: June 17, 2015

Health risks from increases in methylmercury exposure.

N K Mottet, C M Shaw, T M Burbacher

    Environmental Health Perspectives
    |November 1, 1985
    PubMed
    Summary

    Methylmercury exposure harms the nervous and reproductive systems, impacting pregnancy and fetal development. Studies show it causes neurotoxicity and developmental issues in infants, even when mothers show no symptoms.

    Area of Science:

    • Toxicology
    • Neuroscience
    • Reproductive Biology

    Background:

    • Human health effects of methylmercury are known from major poisoning outbreaks and primate studies.
    • Methylmercury crosses critical physiological barriers, including the placenta and blood-brain barrier.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To summarize the known pathological effects of methylmercury on human and primate health.
    • To highlight the impact on the nervous system, reproductive system, and developing embryo/fetus.

    Main Methods:

    • Review of human poisoning outbreaks (Japan, Iraq).
    • Experimental studies on non-human primates (Macaca fascicularis).
    • Analysis of pathological effects on nervous tissue, reproductive parameters, and fetal development.

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    A Modified QuEChERS-HPLC Method for Detection of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Zebrafish Embryos Exposed to Fine Particulate Matter

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    Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Based Developmental Toxicity Assays for Chemical Safety Screening and Systems Biology Data Generation
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    Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Based Developmental Toxicity Assays for Chemical Safety Screening and Systems Biology Data Generation

    Published on: June 17, 2015

    An Anaerobic Biosensor Assay for the Detection of Mercury and Cadmium
    09:33

    An Anaerobic Biosensor Assay for the Detection of Mercury and Cadmium

    Published on: December 17, 2018

    A Modified QuEChERS-HPLC Method for Detection of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Zebrafish Embryos Exposed to Fine Particulate Matter
    04:39

    A Modified QuEChERS-HPLC Method for Detection of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Zebrafish Embryos Exposed to Fine Particulate Matter

    Published on: June 13, 2025

    Main Results:

    • Methylmercury causes neurotoxicity, leading to neuronal necrosis, gliosis, and cerebral atrophy.
    • In primates, high methylmercury levels (above 1 ppm) decrease pregnancy rates and increase abortion.
    • Methylmercury exposure may reduce sperm count and function.
    • Fetal exposure results in retarded brain development and cerebral palsy-like symptoms in newborns, with higher fetal mercury levels than maternal.

    Conclusions:

    • Methylmercury poses significant risks to the nervous and reproductive systems.
    • Developing embryos and fetuses are particularly vulnerable, experiencing severe developmental deficits.
    • Transplacental transfer leads to higher fetal exposure, causing adverse outcomes even in asymptomatic mothers.