Metals in our body enable the healthy function of the brain and organs. Metals are elements that are required for several purposes, such as the formation of blood, bones, teeth and other tissues; osmoregulation of body fluids, and the control of physicochemical processes.

1. Role of Essential Metals in our Biological Process
Presented by
Ms. R. Ramya M.Sc., M.Phil.,
Assistant Professor, Department of Chemistry,
Marudhar Kesari Jain College for Women, Vaniyambadi.

2. Why metals are important in our biological systems?
Metals in our body enable the healthy function of the brain
and organs.
Metals are required for several purpose, such as the
formation of blood, bones, teeth and other tissues.

3. INTRODUCTION
 Metals play crucial role in life processes.
 Metals are required for many critical functions in human body.
 Deficiency of some metals can leads to causes diseases
 Metals are perform important role in many of the enzymatic
reactions that fuel the body's metabolism
 The most important metals which regulates in our biological
systems are Ca, Fe, Cu, Mg, Zn, Na, K and Co

4. CalciumBiological role of calcium
 Calcium is major constituents of bones and teeth
 Calcium is great importance in blood coagulation
 It maintains our hormonal secretion and normal excitability of heart
also.
Deficiency disease
 Bone fractures,
 Dry brittle nail
 Weakness of bones in child eg., Rickets
Sources of Calcium
Milk, Egg, Leafy vegetables,
Cabbage, Carrot, Orange, Almonds
Dietary Requirement
Adults : 800mg/day
Children : 1.2 gm/day

5. IronBiological Role
 Tissues growth
 Blood Haemoglobin
 Cellular respiration
Deficiency disease
 Anemia
 Bone marrow
 Shortness of breath
Source of Iron
Leafy vegetables, meat, liver ,
egg yolk, apple, banana ect.,
Dietary Requirements:
Adult - 10mg/day
Children - 15mg / day

6. Copper
Biological Role
Reproductive growth
Regulates for iron transport from the intestine.
Plant growth and development
Deficiency disease
Demineralization of bones
Hypopigmentation of skin
Myocardial fibrosis etc.,
Sources of Copper
Vegetable, meat, egg yolk, liver
Kidney, nuts ect.,
Dietary Requirements
Adults : 2-3 mg/day,
Children : 0.5- 2 mg/day

7. Zinc
Biological Role
Maintain Normal level of vitamin A
Wound healing
Essential for proper reproduction
Enhances cell growth
Deficiency disease
Leukemia
Loss of appetite
Loss of taste sensation
Source of Zinc
Fish , liver, meat,. Egg yolk, beans
Wheat, yeast , nuts ect.,
Dietary Requirements
Adults : 10-15 mg/ day
Children : 5-10 mg/day

8. Magnesium
Biological Role
Nerve impulse transmission
Functioning of the immune system
Blood clotting
Production of transport energy
Deficiency disease
Insomnia, chronic pain
Heart arrhythmias, fatigue
Sources of Magnesium
Green leaf vegetables, nuts, seeds,
Green beans, avocado, banana etc.,
Dietary Requirements
Men : 400-420mg / day
Women : 310-320mg /day

9. Sodium
Biological Role
Regulates acid base balance
Absorp glucose, amino acid and galectose
Maintain water balance within cell
Functioning of impulse system
Deficiency Disease
Loss of apatite
Hyponatremia
High blood pressure etc.,
Sources of Sodium
Dried fruits, carrot, beetroot, egg,
Milk, yogurt ect.,
Dietary Requirements
Adult : 5-10g
Children : 3-5 g

10. PotassiumBiological Role
Regulates water and acid-base balance in blood and tissues
Functioning of all cells, tissues and organs in human body
Generate muscle contractions
Regulates heart beat
Deficiency Disease
Low activeness of cardiac
and nervous system
Adrenal Fatigue
Muscle cramping etc.,
Source of Potassium
Brown rice, cashew nuts, peanuts,
wheat, potatoes, almond etc.,
Dietary Requirements
Adults. : 5-10g Children : 3-5 g

11. Cobalt
Biological Role
Production of blood cells
Maintain nerve system
Prevent from anemia
Deficiency Disease
Anemia
Loss of appetite
Loss of weight etc.,
Sources of Cobalt
Green vegetables, broccoli, nuts,
Meat, liver , fish, milk, mushroom etc.,
Dietary Requirements
Adults : 5-8 mg
Children : 4-6 mg

12. Conclusion
 Metals are used in a wide range of applications
(construction, electronic devices, transportation, food
processing, biomedical applications) and play an
important role in biological systems.
 These Essential metals shows positive effects in
physiological functions at optimal concentrations,
whereas shortage or excessive concentrations affect
biochemical processes and it may causes deficiency and
toxicity.