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Lead is toxic, but do you know why?

a. Lead is toxic mainly because it preferentially replaces other metals in biochemical reactions.
b. In so doing it interferes with the proteins that regulate blood pressure, heme production (which can lead to anemia) and sperm production.
c. lead also displaces calcium in the reactions that transmit electrical impulses in the brain, which diminishes the ability to think and recall information.

User Rhynden
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2 Answers

7 votes

Answer:

All the options are correct.

Step-by-step explanation:

Lead is a p-block chemical element having atomic number 82 that belongs to the group 14 of the periodic table.

Lead is a highly toxic metal. It is a neurotoxin which affects the biological enzymes and damages the kidneys and nervous system, thus causing brain damage and behavioral problems.

It mimics and displaces other metals which act as cofactors in various enzymatic reactions. It also affects the blood pressure, heme synthesis and causes miscarriage in females and reduces the fertility in males.

User Nabucosound
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Answer:

Lead is toxic mostly because during biochemical reactions it tries to substitute certain metals. hence while doing this, It disrupts with the proteins that control blood pressure, the production of heme and the formation of sperm. Through reactions that propagate electrical signals in the brain, lead often consumes calcium, which reduces the capacity to think and retrieve information.

Explanation:

Lead is toxic mostly because during biochemical reactions it tries to substitute certain metals. hence while doing this, It disrupts with the proteins that control blood pressure, the production of heme and the formation of sperm. Through reactions that propagate electrical signals in the brain, lead often consumes calcium, which reduces the capacity to think and retrieve information.

User Sebastian Brosch
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