As an excellent unicellular biological model, Tetrahymena pyriformis S1 has been employed in studying the biological effects of the chemical elements. The nutritious and/or toxic effects on T. pyriformis S1 induced by As, Se, Te, Re, Ir have been observed. Trace amounts of As, Se, Re and Ir added in the peptone-glucose culture medium could stimulate the cell proliferation of T. pyriformis in the following range of concentration respectively: As 0.03-0.05 ppm, Se 0.01-1.0 ppm, Re 0.02-0.08 ppm, Ir 1.0-3.0 ppm, whereas Te only showed its inhibitory effect on the growth of cells.