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treehouse
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And does it similarly affect the cells of organisms of any other biological Kingdoms?
treehouse said:And does it similarly affect the cells of organisms of any other biological Kingdoms?
Mike H said:Fluoride is notoriously corrosive, of course. Think hydrofluoric acid.
Mkorr said:The corrosive part is, to put it simply, the hydrogen ion, not the fluoride part. Also, you are confusing fluoride (F-) with fluorine (F2).
treehouse said:Googling 'fluoride toxicity' doesn't readily yield information about fluorine's absorption by cells and/or reactions with cellular components such as organelles and enzymes.
Mike H said:Are you looking for something in particular?
treehouse said:I want to know how it (fluorine and/or fluoride) interacts with what to cause cell death.
brendlyn said:The fluoride ion, not the hydrogen ion, is the source of toxicity. Fluorine (the element) is extremely electrophilic (wants one more electron pair so it can complete its p-shell and fool itself into believing that it's neon). Fluoride (the ion) has obtained only one of the two electrons it wants, and it's desperate for one more. So fluoride will steal -- or borrow -- a stray electron from *anything*, which is one of the reasons that it's so corrosive/reactive. Introduction of an electrophile to a biological system will probably disrupt electron transport (energy metabolism), bind to nitrogen-containing compounds like proteins or nucleobases, and generally -- because of its size -- prevent the molecule's proper alignment or conformation.
brendlyn said:i stand corrected.
brendlyn said:Here's one: Electrophilicity Index Parr, R. G.; Szentpaly, L. v.; Liu, S. J. Am. Chem. Soc.; (Article); 1999; 121(9); 1922-1924. doi:10.1021/ja983494x
brendlyn said:I also forget to mention F2 addition to alkene bonds.
Fluoride is toxic to bacterial cells because it disrupts their ability to produce energy through a process called oxidative phosphorylation. Fluoride ions bind to and inhibit an enzyme called enolase, which is essential for the production of ATP (the cell's energy currency) in bacteria. Without ATP, bacterial cells cannot perform essential functions and ultimately die.
Fluoride targets bacterial cells because they have a specific type of cell membrane called a phospholipid bilayer. This membrane is made up of molecules that have a phosphate group, which is the primary target of fluoride ions. The fluoride ions disrupt the structure and function of the membrane, making it more permeable and ultimately causing the cell to burst.
Fluoride can harm human cells, but at much higher concentrations than those found in water and toothpaste. Human cells have defense mechanisms, such as the ability to repair damaged DNA, that can help protect against fluoride toxicity. Additionally, the fluoride levels found in water and toothpaste are carefully regulated to be safe for human consumption.
There are no known benefits of fluoride for bacterial cells. In fact, fluoride is often used as an antimicrobial agent in oral hygiene products to specifically target and kill bacteria that cause tooth decay and gum disease. However, some bacteria have developed resistance to fluoride, making it less effective in killing them.
Fluoride affects bacterial cells differently from human cells because of their structural and biochemical differences. As mentioned earlier, bacteria have a specific type of cell membrane that is more susceptible to fluoride ions. Additionally, bacteria have different metabolic processes and enzymes that can be targeted by fluoride, while human cells have defense mechanisms to protect against fluoride toxicity.