Spillover hypothesis

{
  "id": "MLC-T-CHM-011195",
  "term": "Spillover hypothesis",
  "field": "Chemistry",
  "definition": "A hypothesis that a toxic metal causes damage only after its concentration exceeds the capacity of metallothionein, a cysteine-rich metal-binding protein, to bind it. Metal left unbound is then free to attach at sensitive sites such as enzymes, causing injury. The hypothesis predicts a threshold, with little toxicity at low exposures where metallothionein sequesters the metal, and it has been applied to cadmium, zinc, and copper.",
  "subject": "Chemistry and Human Health",
  "see_also": [
    "toxic"
  ],
  "references": [
    "PAC, 2009, 81, 829. 'Glossary of terms used in ecotoxicology (IUPAC Recommendations 2009)' on page 949 (https://doi.org/10.1351/PAC-REC-08-07-09)"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/chemistry/spillover-hypothesis/"
}