What does deuterium do to our bodies?

[nukeman]

This may seem like a pretty broad question, but ill try and narrow it down the best I can.

Lets say, Me, or a insect, drink some Deuteriuim oxide (under the leathal dose).

How does it(d20, deuterium oxide)) interact without bodies, and what does it do to our bodies compared to regular water (H2o) ?

 

[LeonhardEuler]

You can look at
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heavy_water#Effect_on_biological_systems
Basically, bonds involving deuterium can be of a different strength than bonds with hydrogen-1, and since vibrations are slower with a heavier atom, chemical reactions are slowed down. This messes up some biochemical processes which are very fine tuned to work with normal water. For bacteria, they are slowed down but are still able to live and reproduce. In mammals, a large change in the concentration of D20 is fatal. It would take a very high amount of heavy water to kill someone, around a quarter of the weight of their entire body, but it is possible in principle.

 

[nukeman]

So bassicaly we have heavy water, which is Deuterium connecting to oxygen...and normal water, which is Hydrogen-1 connecting to oxygen.

Since heuterium is heavier than hyrogen-1, the deuterium oxide will have a slower molecular vibration correct?

Can you tell me other permutations of this?

Mainly, can I have a few samples involving deuterium that have different molecular vibrations? (Besides just Heavy water and normal water?)

 

[Borek]

https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=647279

https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=647181

https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=648376

You are asking the same questions again and again, and you ignore answers given. Topic locked.

 

[LudusRex]

Deuterium is an isotope of hydrogen that contains one neutron in its nucleus, making it twice as heavy as the more common hydrogen isotope (protium). Deuterium is naturally present in small amounts in all water, including the water we drink and the water in our bodies. Deuterium oxide, also known as heavy water, is a form of water where the hydrogen atoms are replaced with deuterium atoms.

When we drink deuterium oxide, it enters our bodies and is processed in the same way as regular water. However, due to its heavier mass, deuterium may have slightly different effects on our bodies compared to regular water. For example, it may have a slightly different boiling point and freezing point, leading to subtle differences in bodily functions such as sweating and temperature regulation.

Deuterium may also have an impact on biochemical reactions in our bodies. Some studies suggest that deuterium may affect the activity of certain enzymes and proteins, potentially altering their function. However, the exact effects of deuterium on our bodies are still being studied and are not fully understood.

Insects, like all living organisms, also contain water in their bodies and may also be affected by deuterium in a similar way. However, the specific effects may vary depending on the insect's physiology and metabolism.

Overall, deuterium is a naturally occurring element that is present in small amounts in our bodies and the water we drink. While it may have some subtle effects on our bodies and biochemical processes, there is currently no evidence to suggest that it is harmful in small doses. Further research is needed to fully understand the effects of deuterium on our bodies.