Consumption of plantderived food is considered as the main source for intake of toxic element cadmium (Cd) and arsenic (As) in human. Deepening the molecular understanding of the pathways responsible for Cd and As can enable the development of crop varieties with low toxic metal element contents in their edible parts. Based on substantial research progress of Cd and As accumulation in model plants in recent years, transporters mediating the uptake of Cd and As, the speciation and biotransformation mechanisms of As, factors controlling the efficiency of roottoshoot translocation and the partitioning of Cd and As through the node have been reviewed and the prospects in this field have also been proposed.