Final answer:
Heavy water's toxicity stems from its ability to disrupt cellular processes and essential biochemical reactions due to its higher concentration of the isotope deuterium. It can interfere with protein and enzyme functioning, ion transport, and ATP production, leading to cell dysfunction and organ failure.
Step-by-step explanation:
Heavy water (D2O) is known to be lethal to humans and other life in large quantities due to its chemical properties. Although the difference between regular water (H2O) and heavy water might seem small, it has a significant impact on biological processes. The root cause of heavy water's toxicity lies in its ability to disrupt the normal functioning of cells and interfere with essential biochemical reactions.
Heavy water contains a higher concentration of the isotope deuterium (D), which has one additional neutron compared to regular hydrogen. This small isotopic change affects the physical and chemical properties of water, making heavy water less efficient in biological processes.
For example, heavy water can interfere with the assembly and functioning of proteins and enzymes, which are crucial for various cellular functions. It can also disrupt the movement of ions across cell membranes and interfere with the production of ATP, the energy currency of cells. These disruptions can have harmful effects on the body, leading to cell dysfunction, organ failure, and ultimately, death.