This document discusses copper and zinc, two essential minerals. It outlines their roles, dietary sources, absorption, functions and deficiencies. Copper is needed for enzyme activity and iron absorption. It is found in organ meats, eggs and leafy greens. Zinc supports enzyme action and cell signaling. Good sources are meat, fish and nuts. Both minerals are absorbed in the small intestine and excreted primarily in feces. Deficiencies can cause anemia, bone disorders and neurological issues.

2. Minerals
( Cu & Zn )
Haseeb Tariq
Roll no # 32

4. Copper

5.  Body contains about 100 mg of Cu.
Serum Cu:
 The copper concentration of plasma is about 100-200 mg/dl
 95% is tightly bound to ceruloplasmin
 Rest is loosely held with albumin
 Normal conc. Of serum ceruloplasmin is 25-50 mg/dl

6. Dietary Requirements
 Adults 2-3 mg/day
 Infants and children 0.5-2 mg/day

7. Sources
 Organ Meat
 Egg Yolk
 Cereals
 Nuts
 Green leafy vegetables
 Milk (a poor source)

8. Absorption
 About 10% of the dietary Cu is absorbed
 Absorption occurs in duodenum
 Metallothionein facilitates copper absorption.
 Uptake inhibitors are
 Phytates
 Zinc
 Molybdenum

9. Excretion
 Under normal 85-99% is excreted in the faeces.
 Remaining is excreted via urine
 Retained Cu depends on the Cu status in tissues.

10. Biochemical Functions:
 Essential constituent of several enzymes
 Cu is a constituent of ALA synthase, needed for heme
synthesis
 Helps the absorption of Fe
 A copper containing protein called serum Ferro-Oxidase
II participates in oxidation of Fe2+

11.  Help in the bone formation.
 Maintains the structure of myelin sheath of nerves
 Prevents cachexia.
 Cu helps to form insoluble elastin fibers by cross linking
the soluble proelastin chains.

12. Cu deficiency:
 Loss of weight
 Bone disorders
 Anemia
 Microcytic hypochromic
 Change in hair colour
 Involves atrophy of myocardium
 Histopathological changes in cerebrum, brainstem, and
spinal cord.
 Demyelinated nerves and non coordinated movements.

13. Clinical Conditions related to Cu:
 Wilson’s Disease
 Low serum Cu levels
 Increased excretion of Cu
Accumulation in:
 Liver: Hepatic cirrhosis
 Brain: Dysfunction of lenticular region of brain (brain necrosis)
 Kidney: Aminoaciduria
 Eye: Deposition in Descemet’s membrane(Kayser-Fleischer ring)

14.  Menke’s disease
 Acaeroplasminaemia

15. Zinc

16.  Zinc is particularly an intracellular element.
 The total content of zinc is about 2 g.
 Blood contains about 650-680µg/100ml
Serum Zinc:
 Conc. in serum is about 100mg/dl.
 Erythrocytes contain higher conc. of zinc

17. Dietary requirements:
 Adults 10-15mg/day
 Pregnancy & Lactation increased about 50%

18. Sources:
 Meat
 Fish
 Eggs
 Milk
 Beans
 Nuts

19. Absorption:
 Mainly absorbed in duodenum & ileum
 Animal source is better than vegetable source
 Small peptides and amino acids promote Zn absorption
 Inhibitors
 Phytates
 Phosphates
 Calcium
 Iron

20. Excretion:
 In adult person about 9.0 mg of zinc is lost via faeces.
 0.5 mg is lost in urine.
 Trace amount is lost via sweat.

21. Biochemical Functions:
 Role in enzyme action
 Role in vitamin metabolism
 Role in insulin secretion
 Prevents dwarfism and hypogonadism
 Role in wound healing

22. Clinical Aspect:
 Acrodermatitis Enteropathica
 Diabetes mellitus is related to deficiency of zinc in
pancreas
 Has reduced amount in leukemia
 Malignancies
 Atherosclerosis
 Hepatic diseases

23.  Acute myocardial infarction
 Sickle Anemia
 Dermatitis
 Helps regulatory proteins to bind with DNA

24. Superoxide Dismutase
 The enzyme is found in cytosol of liver , brain and blood
cells.
 It contains two Cu & Zn ions each.