biological function and toxicity of elements ,trace elements ,macro elements ,micro elements ,copper ,leadership ,biological function and toxicity of zinc ,biological function and toxicity of copperchromium ,iodine ,chemistry of iron ,zinc ,radioactive elements biological function

1. Biological functions and
toxicity of elements
CECH-612
UNIT-4(A)
BY - Ms MAYURI R SOMPURA

2. TRACE ELEMENTS & MACRO ELEMENTS
➢TRACE ELEMENTS :-
➢elements which are needed in smaller amounts in our body for our
biological process to function normally.
➢MACRO ELEMENTS :-
➢elements which are needed in larger amounts in our body for our
biological process to function normally.
BY - Ms MAYURI R SOMPURA

3. Chromium :-
➢It is an essential trace element.
➢Involved in glucose mechanism.
➢Cr(+3) & insulin - maintain correct level of glucose
➢It is highly toxic as Cr(+4) – carcinogenic
BY - Ms MAYURI R SOMPURA

4. Manganese :-
➢It is an essential trace element for all organisms.
➢Mn(+2) enzyme produced in liver converts nitrogenous waste
products into urea.
➢It is carried by blood to kidneys which excrete in urine.
➢Activates several enzyme.
➢Deficiency in soil inhibits plant growth.
➢Deficiency in mammals leads to infertility.
BY - Ms MAYURI R SOMPURA

5. Cobalt :-
➢It is an essential trace element for many organisms.
➢It is a constituent of vitamin B12.
➢Activates several enzyme.
➢Highly toxic to plants.
➢Moderately toxic to mammals if injected through IV (intravenously).
➢Deficiency in soil adversely affects grazing animals.
BY - Ms MAYURI R SOMPURA

6. Nickel :-
➢It is an essential trace element for several hydrogenases and ureases.
➢Its deficiency in food slows down functioning of liver in chicks.
➢Highly toxic to plants
➢Moderately toxic to mammals.
➢Carcinogenic if present in higher concentration in biological systems.
➢Use in industry causes severe water pollution.
BY - Ms MAYURI R SOMPURA

7. Copper :-
➢It is an essential trace element for all organisms.
➢It is important constituent of heamocyanin which supplies oxygen to
certain aquatic creatures and redox enzymes.
➢Copper containing enzymes play important role in :
pigmentation of skin
Functioning of brain
Metabolism in human body
➢Deficiency :
Inability to utilize iron stored in liver.
BY - Ms MAYURI R SOMPURA

8. Copper :-
➢Excessive Copper in human body is harmful.
➢Disease known as WILSON DISEASE upsets copper metabolism in
human system in such a way that it gets deposited in excess in the
liver, kidneys and brain.
➢Patients suffering from this disease are treated with controlled doses
of EDTA which forms water soluble complex with Cu+2.
➢Water soluble copper complex gets excreted through urine.
➢Highly toxic to invertebrates.
➢Moderately toxic to mammals when present in higher concentrations.
BY - Ms MAYURI R SOMPURA

9. Arsenic :-
➢It is an essential ultratrace element in red algae, chicks and some
mammals including humans.
➢Deficiency in chicks results in depressed growth.
➢Moderately toxic to plants.
➢Highly toxic to mammals when present in more than ultra-trace
quantities.
➢Sources of water and air pollution of arsenic :
Mining operations
Burning of coal
Use of insecticides and herbicides containing arsenic
BY - Ms MAYURI R SOMPURA

10. Selenium :-
➢It is an essential trace element for mammals and some plants.
➢Essential constituent of some enzymes.
➢Protects biological systems from free radical oxidants.
➢Deficiency in soils leads to WHITE MUSCLE DISEASE in grazing
sheep.
➢Higher concentration is moderately toxic in plants & highly toxic in
mammals.
BY - Ms MAYURI R SOMPURA

11. Molybdenum :-
➢It is an essential trace element for all organisms .
➢Essential constituent of some enzymes which are used by nature for
nitrogen fixation and nitrate reduction.
➢It is moderately toxic
➢Excess of molybdenum in biological system causes deficiency of
copper.
BY - Ms MAYURI R SOMPURA

12. Cadmium:-
➢This element has practically no use in living organism.
➢It is toxic to all organisms.
➢For mammals :
➢Causes kidney failure
➢Hypertension
➢Anemia
➢Disorder of bone marrow
➢Zinc is usally contaminated by cadmium.
➢Hence, its use in galvanizing industry as chief source of pollution.
BY - Ms MAYURI R SOMPURA

13. Iodine:-
➢It is essential element for most organisms.
➢Important constituent of thyroxine.
➢Deficiency causes goiter.
➢Iodide ions are not toxic but I2 is as toxic as other halogens in
elemental form.
BY - Ms MAYURI R SOMPURA

14. Mercury :-
➢This element has practically no biological function.
➢It is highly toxic to fungi, plants and animals.
➢Cumulative toxin for mammals.
➢Fungicides of organomercurial category cause air, water & soil
pollution.
BY - Ms MAYURI R SOMPURA

15. Lead :-
➢It has no biological function.
➢Highly toxic to plants.
➢Cumulative poison to mammals.
➢Inhibits synthesis of hemoglobin in mammals.
➢Highly toxic to central nervous system.
➢Lead tetraethyl used in gasoline as an antiknock.
➢Lead pigments are serious health hazard.
BY - Ms MAYURI R SOMPURA

16. Iron :-
➢Role of biochemical containing iron in biological systems is well
defined.
➢Excessive intake of iron can cause :
Siderosis
Damages organs
BY - Ms MAYURI R SOMPURA

17. Zinc :-
➢Role of biochemical of zinc in form of zinc enzymes is already
discussed earlier in this unit.
➢Present in a large of essential enzymes.
➢Deficiency may cause loss of appetite.
➢Slightly toxic in macro doses.
➢Excess oral dose cause diarrhea and vomiting.
BY - Ms MAYURI R SOMPURA

18. Radioactive elements :-
➢They have no biological functions.
➢Their accumulation in human body can be harmful due to its
radioactivity.
➢They are potential pollutants of air and water in form of nuclear
wastes.
BY - Ms MAYURI R SOMPURA

19. Assignment :
• Mention the Biological functions and toxicity of trace and macro
elements
BY - Ms MAYURI R SOMPURA