A trace element is a chemical element of a minute quantity, a trace amount, especially used in referring to a micronutrient,[1][2] but is also used to refer to minor elements in the composition of a rock, or other chemical substance.

In nutrition, trace elements are classified into two groups: essential trace elements, and non-essential trace elements. Essential trace elements are needed for many physiological and biochemical processes in both plants and animals. Not only do trace elements play a role in biological processes but they also serve as catalysts to engage in redox – oxidation and reduction mechanisms.[3] Trace elements of some heavy metals have a biological role as essential micronutrients.

Types

The two types of trace element in biochemistry are classed as essential or non-essential.

Essential trace elements

An essential trace element is a dietary element, a mineral that is only needed in minute quantities for the proper growth, development, and physiology of the organism.[4] The essential trace elements are those that are required to perform vital metabolic activities in organisms.[5] Essential trace elements in human nutrition, and other animals include iron (Fe) (hemoglobin), copper (Cu) (respiratory pigments), cobalt (Co) (Vitamin B12), iodine, manganese (Mn) and zinc (Zn) (enzymes).[5][6] Although they are essential, they become toxic at high concentrations.[7]

Non-essential trace elements

Non-essential trace elements include silver (Ag), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), and lead (Pb). They have no known biological function in mammals, with toxic effects even at low concentration.[5]

The structural components of cells and tissues that are required in the diet in gram quantities daily are known as bulk elements.[8]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Bhattacharya, Preeti Tomar; Misra, Satya Ranjan; Hussain, Mohsina (2016-06-28). "Nutritional Aspects of Essential Trace Elements in Oral Health and Disease: An Extensive Review". Scientifica. 2016: 1–12. doi:10.1155/2016/5464373. PMC 4940574. PMID 27433374.
  2. ↑ "Definition of Trace element". www.merriam-webster.com. Retrieved 30 June 2023.
  3. ↑ "What are Trace Elements ?" (PDF).
  4. ↑ Bowen, Humphrey John Moule (1966). Trace elements in biochemistry. Academic Press. ISBN 9780121209506.
  5. 1 2 3 Soto-Jiménez, Martin (December 2011). "Trace element trophic transfer in aquatic food webs". Hidrobiológica. 21 (3): 239–248. ISSN 0188-8897. Retrieved 5 November 2018.
  6. ↑ Shier, Butler, Lewis, David, Jackie, Ricki (2016). Hole's Human Anatomy Fourteenth Edition. New York: McGraw Hill Education. p. 59. ISBN 978-0-07-802429-0.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  7. ↑ Jomova K, Makova M, Alomar SY, Alwasel SH, Nepovimova E, Kuca K, Rhodes CJ, Valko M (November 2022). "Essential metals in health and disease". Chem Biol Interact. 367: 110173. doi:10.1016/j.cbi.2022.110173. PMID 36152810.
  8. ↑ "Essential Elements for Life". saylordotorg.github.io. Retrieved 2023-02-13.
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