WHAT ARE TRACE ELEMENTS? 14 EXAMPLES - BIOLOGY - 2025

The trace elements are bioelementos present in all living beings, being chemical elements that can be found in almost any living particle. Within living beings they are kept in balance, and both their absence and their excess can cause problems in the organism that become pathological.

Trace elements fulfill functions within living organisms. Many of them are necessary to participate in the reactions necessary for life. They intervene in functions such as respiratory, digestive, muscular, etc. They participate in the creation of specific end products and control various actions of biological processes.

The amount that can be consumed of the trace elements is very small, but through a healthy and balanced diet it is easy to reach the recommended daily amount of these products. Each trace element has an optimal concentration range, and many of them cause diseases by excess and by default.

For a living being to function, it needs to have carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen in its body. Without these elements, life would not exist.

Trace elements

1- Boron

This trace element is essential for living beings in the plant world. Helps maintain the structure of the cell wall of vegetables.

2- Chromium

Chromium is an essential trace element for people. With age, its concentration decreases and the lack of chromium can cause some diseases such as diabetes.

This trace element is an insulin enhancer, since it favors the absorption of glucose in the cells. Chromium also plays a very important role in the level of cholesterol in the blood.

And a correct amount of chromium in the mother's system is very important for a good development of the fetus.

This can be found in vegetables, citrus fruits, seaweed, lean meats and in liver and kidneys.

3- Cobalt

This trace mineral is one of the central components of vitamin B12. This mineral is more present in men since it is necessary for the production of testosterone, and in a lesser amount in women.

Vitamin B12 has a core made up essentially of cobalt. Vitamins are very important for the synthesis of blood, and in this case, vitamin B12 is essential for the synthesis of red blood cells.

Vitamin B12 also favors the absorption of other substances, such as the absorption of iron in the intestine or that of iodine by the thyroid.

It also helps lower blood sugar levels and balance the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems.

We can obtain high concentrations of cobalt in the liver of animals, to acquire the necessary amount.

4- Copper

One of the most important trace elements for humans, since it stimulates the immune system due to the fact that it is present in most antibodies. We can obtain it from mollusks and crustaceans, fish, green vegetables, lentils and liver.

Copper helps the synthesis of red blood cells. Hemoglobin needs copper to be able to absorb iron, without it absorption does not occur.

It not only helps in the pigmentation of the blood, but also favors the pigmentation of skin and hair. The lack of copper in the system can cause gray hair.

A curious characteristic of copper is that it appears in babies in amounts up to 10 times greater than those of an adult. Infants have a reserve of copper in the skin, which allows them to synthesize enzymes and form blood cells.

5- Fluorine

Fluorine is concentrated in living things in bones and teeth, and is necessary to maintain its density and strength.

In the teeth, the presence of fluoride is very important, since it is the way to resist cavities, but also the accumulation of other bacteria inside the mouth. Although there are studies that indicate that the abuse of fluoride can cause Alzheimer's.

6- Iron

Iron in the human body is concentrated in the blood. It is part of the hemoglobin and cytochromes of the respiratory system. Its oxidation, combined with hemoglobin, forms oxyhemoglobin.

Oxyhemoglobin is the main responsible for the transport of oxygen through the body. Many parts of the body cannot function without iron, such as the thyroid, controlling body temperature, etc.

Small amounts are needed within the body, as iron is reused and not removed. The lack of iron in the blood can cause anemia, which in some cases can be very serious.

7- Manganese

Manganese can be found within the enzymes that make up living beings, although it also has a structural role. One of its functions is the dismutation of super oxides.

There are studies that show that the lack of manganese in the system, can affect the females of living beings to undergo abortions or give birth prematurely.

Additionally, manganese aids the functions of the pancreas, and helps it break down glucose. It is part of the production of thyroxine and sex hormones. And it helps the breakdown and formation of fat, which helps cholesterol; and strengthens the cartilage of the bones.

Manganese is also believed to improve memory and reduce stress, and may even prevent infertility.

8- Molybdenum

We can easily find molybdenum in seawater. This is the main responsible for transmitting oxygen atoms to the water. It is one of those responsible for assimilating uric acid and thus preventing gout attacks.

It is also responsible for helping liver enzymes break down alcohol molecules.

It is a main component of many creams, as it helps slow down aging.

9- Nickel

This trace mineral helps absorb iron in the body and stabilizes DNA and RNA. It also helps in the metabolism of carbohydrates and to stabilize blood clotting.

Through the absorption of iron, this trace element also helps reduce the action of adrenaline.

10- Selenium

Selenium catalyzes organic compounds, promoting oxidation, hydrogenation, and dehydrogenation.

New studies are showing that the amount of selenium in the body can help prevent cancer. However, they are still in an experimental phase and there is not much information in this regard that is validated by the scientific community.

11- Silicon

This mineral, like calcium, favors and strengthens the bones and the lack of this can lead to osteoporosis. It also helps to heal broken bones.

12- Vanadium

This trace element, which is present in many living beings, has not been shown to be essential for humans. However, there are vanadium compounds that enhance the activity of insulin.

13- Iodine

This chemical element is very necessary for humans as the thyroid gland needs it to make thyroid hormone and thyroxine.

If the thyroid gland does not have enough iodine, it cannot synthesize this hormone, which is an important part of the body's development and regulation.

In addition, iodine is related to vitamin A, since it slows the need for iodine by the thyroid gland. The thyroid, in turn, is involved in the process of transforming carotene into vitamin A.

14- Zinc

Zinc aids protein metabolism and stimulates more than 100 enzymes. It is necessary for wounds to heal faster and helps the immune system function. It also helps sensory organs like taste and smell.

Zinc improves defenses and its importance in brain functions is being studied. With regard to the image, zinc favors the growth and strengthening of hair.

Essential element

The essential elements are those that are needed for the development of the living being.

Potassium

Potassium is an electrolyte that together with sodium regulates adenosine triphosphate. This is basic in obtaining cellular energy. A great source of potassium is bananas.

Chlorine

Chlorine is necessary for the production of gastric flows within the digestive system. Its most common form is that of common salt.

Sodium

Together with potassium, as shown above, adenosine triphosphate is regulated. A great source of sodium is found in green leafy plants, seafood, and salt.

Calcium

This essential element intervenes in various parts of the body for its development. It is needed to build muscle and bone mass, as well as the heart, digestive system, and blood. The greatest source of calcium is found in milk, fish, and seeds.

Match

It is an important part of the composition of bones. In addition, it influences the energy-obtaining activities of cells.

Magnesium

Another essential element that makes up the bones. And also necessary for adenosine triphosphate. We can find it in walnuts and soybeans.

References

1. MERTZ, Walter.Trace elements in human and animal nutrition. Elsevier, 2012.
2. BOWEN, HIM OF THE TRACE ELEMENTS.NUCLEAR ACTIVATION TECHNIQUES IN THE LIFE SCIENCES, 1966, p. 393.
3. UNDERWOOD, Eric. Trace elements in human and animal nutrition. Elsevier, 2012.
4. MERTZ, Walter. The essential trace elements Science, 1981, vol. 213
5. WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION, et al. Trace elements in human nutrition and health. World Health Organization, 1996.
6. PRASAD, Ananda S. (ed.) Essential and toxic element: trace elements in human health and disease. Elsevier, 2013.
7. FRAGA, Cesar G. Relevance, essentiality and toxicity of trace elements in human health, Molecular aspects of medicine, 2005, vol. 26, no 4, p. 235-244.