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Ecological responses to environmental stresses pp 22–31Cite as

Free radicals and heavy metal tolerance

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Part of the book series: Tasks for vegetation science ((TAVS,volume 22))

Abstract

There are many possible ways in which heavy metals can affect the generation and the metabolization of cellular radical species. Due to a lack of in vivo studies, it is difficult to assess the significance of oxidative stress in metal toxicity in higher plants. Except for copper toxicity, which is associated with peroxidation of the root cell membranes, there are no indications that metal toxicity would primarily rely on a disturbance of the cellular radical balance. It is uncertain whether the evolution of metal tolerance involves changes in the capacity of the cellular defence against radicals.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Ecology and Ecotoxicology, De Boelelaan 1087, 1081 HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    C. H. R. De Vos & H. Schat

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  1. C. H. R. De Vos
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  2. H. Schat
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Ecology and Ecotoxicology, Vrije Universiteit, De Boelelaan 1087, 1081 HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    J. Rozema  & J. A. C. Verkleij  & 

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© 1991 Kluwer Academic Publishers

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De Vos, C.H.R., Schat, H. (1991). Free radicals and heavy metal tolerance. In: Rozema, J., Verkleij, J.A.C. (eds) Ecological responses to environmental stresses. Tasks for vegetation science, vol 22. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-0599-3_3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-0599-3_3

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-010-6757-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-009-0599-3

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