The complete removal of Pb(II) was achieved by intact Pseudomonas putida cells. The biosorption isotherm exhibited Langmuirian behaviour and followed pseudo-second-order rate kinetics. The standard Gibbs free energy change ( increment G degrees) for the biosorption of Pb(II) ions was found to be -26.4 kJ mol(-1), attesting to a chemisorption process. Thermolysis of P. putida cells improved the Pb(II) binding capacity by around 27%. All the four components tested, namely DNA, protein, polysaccharide and lipid, were found to contribute to the uptake of Pb(II) ions. The possible mechanisms of Pb(II) binding by P. putida have been delineated.