Kluyveromyces spp. have been found to be more efficient than a CUP1(R) strain of S. cerevisiae in heavy metal resistance and accumulation. The present study describes the subcellular distribution of the accumulated metals (Ae, Cd, Cu) in S. cerevisiae and K. marxianus. Absorption by insoluble cellular material of the metals appears as the main mechanism of metal accumulation in both organisms.