VIBS 422 Exam Questions and Answers with Verified Solutions |
Latest 2026 Update
Q: Mention any 5 toxic effects of Pb (lead) to human health.
Answer:
Hearing loss Kidney damage
Behavioral problems Abdominal pain constipation
Q: Lead absorption is enhanced if the diet is poor in iron or calcium. True or
false?
Answer:
True
Q: Lead is stored in bone tissues for how many years?
Answer:
over 30 years.
Q: What is the key molecular mechanism of lead toxicity?
Answer:
Lead binds to enzymes that have functional sulfhydryl groups, leaving them
nonfunctional and further contributing to impairment in oxidative balance.
Q: How does lead affect male fertility?
Answer:
Decrease libido Fertility problems
Damage to sperm Decreased size of testis
Increase spouses chance of miscarriage, premature birth, and birth defects
Q: How many years can mercury last in the ocean?
Answer:
80,000 years
Q: Asian countries contribute about what % of global air emissions?
Answer:
50%
,Q: What is the largest and most frequent source of mercury in the air?
Answer:
emissions from electric utility coal-fired plants.
Q: Which state in the US has the highest mercury pollution in the air?
Answer:
Texas
Q: Mention two high mercury fish and low mercury fish
Answer:
High: tuna and catfish Low: trout and sardines
Q: What are the mercury toxicity symptoms in fetus/infants?
Answer:
Mental retardation, seizures, blindness and deafness, speech, swallow, and sucking
problem
Q: Describe Minamata disease?
Answer:
Methyl mercury was released into the sea around this area in Japan. The toxin
bioaccumulates in fish and when eaten by the local people, it causes the largest
case of mercury poisoning. Causing death and many disabled people
Q: Young's syndrome & Pink Disease are associated with which toxicity?
Answer:
Mercury
Q: 50-75% of total body Cadmium is found in which tissue?
Answer:
liver and kidney
Q: Half life of Cadmium in the human body?
Answer:
20-30 years
Q: How does Cd affect the metabolism of other essential metals?
, Answer:
Interacts with essential nutrients Competes with gastrointestinal absorption of zinc
Inhibits zinc enzymes
Decreases copper in liver and plasma Binds to ferritin, decreases hemoglobin
Deposits in bones
Increases oxidative stress
Q: How does Cadmium affects steroidogenesis?
Answer:
decreased (3bHSD) and (17b-HSD)- the key enzymes for testosterone
biosynthesis.
Q: Briefly describe "itai-itai" disease.
Answer:
Outflow from a lead processing plant washed over adjacent rice paddies for many
years. Rice accumulated high levels of Cd therefore it caused renal failure, anemia,
and severe muscle pain
Q: Write any 10 fruits and vegetables that are rich in antioxidants.
Answer:
Kiwi, tomato, broccoli, cranberry, blueberry, raspberry, blackberry, pecan,
strawberry, plum
Q: Describe adverse health effects of any 4 food dyes.
Answer:
Blue 1: kidney tumor Blue 2: brain tumor
Red 3: thyroid tumor
Red 40: immune system tumors
Q: Which metal accelerates germ cell nest breakdown?
Answer:
Chromium VI
Q: What are the gynecological problems in women due to Cr(VI) exposure?
Answer:
Birth complications Reduced fetal weight
Latest 2026 Update
Q: Mention any 5 toxic effects of Pb (lead) to human health.
Answer:
Hearing loss Kidney damage
Behavioral problems Abdominal pain constipation
Q: Lead absorption is enhanced if the diet is poor in iron or calcium. True or
false?
Answer:
True
Q: Lead is stored in bone tissues for how many years?
Answer:
over 30 years.
Q: What is the key molecular mechanism of lead toxicity?
Answer:
Lead binds to enzymes that have functional sulfhydryl groups, leaving them
nonfunctional and further contributing to impairment in oxidative balance.
Q: How does lead affect male fertility?
Answer:
Decrease libido Fertility problems
Damage to sperm Decreased size of testis
Increase spouses chance of miscarriage, premature birth, and birth defects
Q: How many years can mercury last in the ocean?
Answer:
80,000 years
Q: Asian countries contribute about what % of global air emissions?
Answer:
50%
,Q: What is the largest and most frequent source of mercury in the air?
Answer:
emissions from electric utility coal-fired plants.
Q: Which state in the US has the highest mercury pollution in the air?
Answer:
Texas
Q: Mention two high mercury fish and low mercury fish
Answer:
High: tuna and catfish Low: trout and sardines
Q: What are the mercury toxicity symptoms in fetus/infants?
Answer:
Mental retardation, seizures, blindness and deafness, speech, swallow, and sucking
problem
Q: Describe Minamata disease?
Answer:
Methyl mercury was released into the sea around this area in Japan. The toxin
bioaccumulates in fish and when eaten by the local people, it causes the largest
case of mercury poisoning. Causing death and many disabled people
Q: Young's syndrome & Pink Disease are associated with which toxicity?
Answer:
Mercury
Q: 50-75% of total body Cadmium is found in which tissue?
Answer:
liver and kidney
Q: Half life of Cadmium in the human body?
Answer:
20-30 years
Q: How does Cd affect the metabolism of other essential metals?
, Answer:
Interacts with essential nutrients Competes with gastrointestinal absorption of zinc
Inhibits zinc enzymes
Decreases copper in liver and plasma Binds to ferritin, decreases hemoglobin
Deposits in bones
Increases oxidative stress
Q: How does Cadmium affects steroidogenesis?
Answer:
decreased (3bHSD) and (17b-HSD)- the key enzymes for testosterone
biosynthesis.
Q: Briefly describe "itai-itai" disease.
Answer:
Outflow from a lead processing plant washed over adjacent rice paddies for many
years. Rice accumulated high levels of Cd therefore it caused renal failure, anemia,
and severe muscle pain
Q: Write any 10 fruits and vegetables that are rich in antioxidants.
Answer:
Kiwi, tomato, broccoli, cranberry, blueberry, raspberry, blackberry, pecan,
strawberry, plum
Q: Describe adverse health effects of any 4 food dyes.
Answer:
Blue 1: kidney tumor Blue 2: brain tumor
Red 3: thyroid tumor
Red 40: immune system tumors
Q: Which metal accelerates germ cell nest breakdown?
Answer:
Chromium VI
Q: What are the gynecological problems in women due to Cr(VI) exposure?
Answer:
Birth complications Reduced fetal weight
