Back to Biochemistry Lesson preview
Biochemistry Environmental Biochemistry

Heavy Metals: Lead, Mercury, Arsenic

Topic overview

Start with the big picture

Lead disrupts heme synthesis by inhibiting δ-ALA dehydratase and ferrochelatase, contributing to microcytic anemia and basophilic stippling; it can also cause neurologic and renal injury. Mercury binds sulfhydryl groups and may injure neurons and renal tubules, with tremor, neuropsychiatric changes, and gingivostomatitis among its classic findings. Arsenite inhibits lipoic acid–dependent enzymes, while arsenate uncouples oxidative phosphorylation. Acute arsenic toxicity can cause severe gastrointestinal illness and shock; chronic exposure is associated with characteristic skin changes, neuropathy, and increased cancer risk. Exposure history, targeted laboratory testing, and appropriate chelation are central themes across the topic.

Learning objectives

What you'll learn

  • Identify common exposure sources for lead, mercury, and arsenic.
  • Relate each metal’s mechanism to its characteristic clinical findings.
  • Recognize diagnostic tests described for the three toxicities.
  • Compare chelation approaches and monitoring principles in the lesson.
Ready for the complete lesson?

Continue your study

Work through the complete notes and reinforce the topic with the study tools available in the full lesson.

PharmaProLearn

Excel Beyond Limits