Biochemistry of bisulfite--sulfur dioxide. [Model for responses of organisms to environmental pollutants]

An analysis of the metabolic transformations of sulfur dioxide is made. Then, the biochemical reactivity of two of its forms, bisulfite and S-thiosulfates, is surveyed in order to provide a view of the potential reactivity of sulfur dioxide with biological systems. Finally, these findings are used as a model for the consideration of threshold responses of organisms to agents in the environment.