Mechanisms underlying circulation of selenium in Biosphere

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Selenium (Se) shows ambivalent characteristics in animals and plants. It is an essential element in animals but becomes severely toxic when the amount ingested exceeds the required level. Meanwhile, Se is not essential in plants although some plants are Se hyperaccumulators. Thus, Se may be circulated in biosphere. In the study, we obtained the results for the mechanisms underlying the Se metabolism in animals and plants, the distinguish between Se and tellurium in animals and plants, the novel approach for metal/metalloid metabolism by the combination techniques of molecular biology, speciation and elemental imaging as shown below.