Toxic effect of metal ions on living cells The oligodynamic effect is a biocidal effect of metals, especially heavy metals, that occurs even in low concentrations. This effect is attributed to the antibacterial behavior of metal ions, which are absorbed by bacteria upon contact and damage their cell membranes. 422,481 views on September 20, 2017 — Wikipedia's most-read article that day. Also most read: Curse LLC, Antoine-Augustin Parmentier, It (2017 film), Omar Abdullah. Wiki link