Final answer:
Specific poisons that affect the ET chain include streptomycin, diphtheria toxin, and ricin, which inhibit protein synthesis in various ways. Toxic heavy metals like mercury, lead, and cadmium can accumulate in tissues and cause health problems due to biomagnification in the food chain.
Step-by-step explanation:
Chemical agents such as heavy metals, dioxins, pesticides, and endocrine disrupters can have significant effects on the human body, especially when they interfere with cellular processes like the electron transport chain (ET chain) in mitochondria. Some specific poisons that affect the ET chain include streptomycin, diphtheria toxin, and ricin.
- Streptomycin: This antibiotic causes misreading of genetic code in bacteria and inhibits the initiation of protein synthesis.
- Diphtheria toxin: This exotoxin targets human cells by inactivating EF-2 (elongation factor 2), which is necessary for protein synthesis.
- Ricin: A potent toxin from castor beans that inactivates the 60S/28S ribosomal subunit in eukaryotes, preventing effective protein synthesis.
Additionally, exposure to toxic heavy metals such as mercury, lead, and cadmium can lead to accumulation in tissues, biomagnification in the food chain, and various health issues, including neurological disorders.