The effect of Cd2+ ions on the growth of Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeasts grown in a natural and a synthetic medium was studied. Two strains, B-1 i G(1), were used. Both strains displayed high sensitivity to increased cadmium salt contents, particularly those grown in a synthetic medium. High concentrations of cadmium (> 50 mu M) practically stopped the growth of the studied strains. The negative effect of cadmium ions was partly altered by adding zinc or calcium salts to the synthetic YM medium.