Lead, or Pb2+, is a naturally occurring toxicant, which was used in lead-based paints. The impact of lead poisoning in adults is far less serious than it is on child exposed whilst still developing. Pb2+ has the ability to pass through the blood-brain barrier as well as through the placenta into a developing fetus. A pregnant woman exposed to small amounts of lead that may not harm her leads the way for long-term effects on the child’s learning and memory due to the blocking of NMDA receptors in the brain. To further study the effects of lead on memory and learning on the brain, Zebrafish embryos will be exposed to various concentrations of lead for three days. The fish, as they mature, will be observed in size and ability to complete certain
