This review addresses metal uptake specifically by yeast. Metal uptake
may be passive, active or both, depending on the viability of the bio
mass, and is influenced by a number of environmental and experimental
factors. Uptake is typically accompanied by a degree of ion exchange a
nd, under certain conditions, may be enhanced by the addition of an en
ergy source. Intracellularly accumulated metal is most readily associa
ted with the cell wall and vacuole but may also be bound by other cell
ular organelles and biomolecules. The intrinsic biochemical, structura
l and genetic properties of the yeast cell along with environmental co
nditions are crucial for its survival when exposed to toxic metals. Co
nditions of pH, temperature and the presence of additional ions, among
st others, have varying effects on the metal uptake process. We conclu
de that yeasts have contributed significantly to our understanding of
the metal uptake process and suggest directions for future work.