detoxifying mercury

[sed_bad]

Halu!!!...I would like to ask why the mercury is poisonous? And how does it poison? Im just curious its because I read an article. Its about the mercury..Its says that mercury is poisonous when it lacks 2 electrons from its molecule shell..And because of that, I would like to clarify if its true.

Thank you very much!!!...Gud day!!

[deleted-71576]

You can find a nice summary of it on widipedia:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercury_poisoning

It goes into fairly extensive detail about mercury poisoning.

[Sareena Avadhany]

Hi!

Mercury is a type of heavy metal that is also an irreversible inhibitor. Enzymes, proteins that catalyze biochemical reactions, have active sites where molecules can bind to, and the enzyme then changes its conformation to either break the molecule into smaller parts, or allow two molecules to bind to a larger one. Inhibitors are used to control the reactions that enzymes catalyze. Heavy metals, however, bind so tighty to the active site, that it stays there for quite some time (heavy metals are lost slowly), inhibiting the enzyme from catalyzing anymore reactions. When this occurs, the enzyme becomes functionless.

In context, imagine accidently consuming Mercury - the liquid contains many many more atoms than just one. If thousands of enzymes become functionless, it is extremely dangerous to the body.

I hope this helps.

Sincerely,
Sareena