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| Metals in the Living System |
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| Traces of metal is necessary for the human and animal system to function efficiently. Some of the important metals required are iron, copper, zinc, sodium and potassium. |
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 Iron metal is a constituent of haemoglobin in blood which carries oxygen to various parts of the body in humans and animals. |
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Copper and zinc are constituents of enzymes which are the organic catalysts for various functions. |
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Sodium and potassium are necessary for the electrical activities of the nerves and for the contraction of muscles. |
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Presence of excessive amounts of metals are toxic and are harmful. |
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Iron supplement is necessary for the formation of haemoglobin, whose difficiency causes anaemia. But excess of iron salts can cause a disease called siderosis. |
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Excess of copper metal in the human body leads to a disease known as Wilsons disease. The symptoms of this disease are nervous disorders, tremors, difficulty in swallowing and still joints. |
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