Trace element

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Element of low concentration

title: "Trace element" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["analytical-chemistry", "biochemistry", "geochemistry", "nutrition", "physiology"] description: "Element of low concentration" topic_path: "science/chemistry" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trace_element" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary Element of low concentration ::

NOTOC A trace element is a chemical element of a minute quantity, a trace amount, especially used in referring to a micronutrient, 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. Trace elements of some heavy metals have a biological role as essential micronutrients.

Types

Main article: Mineral (nutrient)

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. The essential trace elements are those that are required to perform vital metabolic activities in organisms. Essential trace elements in human nutrition, and other animals include iron (Fe) (hemoglobin), copper (Cu) (respiratory pigments), cobalt (Co) (Vitamin B12), iodine (I), manganese (Mn), chlorine (Cl), molybdenum (Mo), selenium (Se) and zinc (Zn) (enzymes). Although they are essential, they become toxic at high concentrations.

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.

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

References

References

  1. (2016-06-28). "Nutritional Aspects of Essential Trace Elements in Oral Health and Disease: An Extensive Review". Scientifica.
  2. "Definition of Trace element".
  3. "What are Trace Elements ?".
  4. (1966). "Trace elements in biochemistry". [[Academic Press]].
  5. (December 2011). "Trace element trophic transfer in aquatic food webs". Hidrobiológica.
  6. Shier, Butler, Lewis, David, Jackie, Ricki. (2016). "Hole's Human Anatomy Fourteenth Edition". McGraw Hill Education.
  7. (November 2022). "Essential metals in health and disease". Chem Biol Interact.
  8. "Essential Elements for Life".

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analytical-chemistrybiochemistrygeochemistrynutritionphysiology