Zinc in biology

Zinc in biology is an essential trace element, necessary for plants, animals, and microorganisms. Zinc is found in several enzymes and proteins, and plays a crucial role in gene expression and regulation.

Function

Zinc is involved in numerous aspects of cellular metabolism. It is required for the catalytic activity of approximately 100 enzymes and it plays a role in immune function, protein synthesis, wound healing, DNA synthesis, and cell division. Zinc also supports normal growth and development during pregnancy, childhood, and adolescence and is required for proper sense of taste and smell. A daily intake of zinc is required to maintain a steady state because the body has no specialized zinc storage system.

Dietary reference intake

The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for zinc is 8 mg/day for women and 11 mg/day for men. The Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) for zinc is 40 mg/day for adults. High levels of zinc can interfere with copper absorption and provoke iron deficiency.

Deficiency

Zinc deficiency affects about two billion people in the developing world and is associated with many diseases. In children it causes growth retardation, delayed sexual maturation, infection susceptibility, and diarrhea. Enzymes with a zinc atom in the reactive center are widespread in biochemistry, such as alcohol dehydrogenase in humans.

See also

• Zinc deficiency
• Zinc finger
• Zinc transporter
• Zinc protease
• Zinc spark
• Zinc pest
• Zinc chloride
• Zinc metabolism

References

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