| Metal ions are required as active components of several proteins.
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The most obvious of these is iron, it forms part of the proteins involved in the transfer of molecular oxygen (see Chapter 4). Other metals have been found to be essential for normal biological function. These include metals previously thought to be toxic; indeed, environmental excesses of these do result in toxicity. Such elements include chromium, selenium, manganese , copper and zinc, and are termed essential trace elements.
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