Biochemistry

molecules of hemoglobin and myoglobin, iron is located in the center of a complex compound called heme. Iron in the form of Fe ++ and Fe +i + is a part of redox enzymes that perform the most important functions in the body. Cytochrome respiratory enzymes are widespread in biological systems. They are found in all organisms, with the exception of strictly anaerobic bacteria, for which oxygen is poison. Iron is also a part of such important redox enzymes as catalase and peroxidase. Iron deficiency leads to a breakdown of key body functions. In animals and humans, with iron deficiency, the supply of oxygen to the body's tissues and its absorption is disrupted, and a disease called iron deficiency anemia occurs. Copper is found in more than 170 minerals. Copper is one of the vital trace elements needed by both plant and animal organisms. Copper is a part of the most important redox enzymes - cytochrome oxidase, ascorbate oxidase, polyphenol oxidase and activates the processes of biological oxidation in tissues. A special depot of copper for the synthesis of these enzymes is a special Cu 2+ - containing protein located in the mitochondria of cells. In humans and higher animals, a particularly large amount of copper is found in the liver and spieen. A copper deficiency in the human body can lead to diseases: anemia, cirrhosis of the liver, emphysema, etc. At the same time, the ingestion of a large amount of copper into the human body leads to poisoning, which is accompanied by a weakening of breathing and cardiac activity, a coma. Zinc is one of the elements of medium prevalence. In biological environments, zinc is part of more than 100 compounds, among which the most studied enzymes are a-amylase, fructose-1,6-diphosphatase, carboxypeptidase and carbonic anhydrase. The enzyme a-amylase or glycogenase is found in saliva, in the digestive juice secreted by the pancreas, in molds, in the genninating grains of wheat, rye, and barley. Amylase provides the breakdown of starch into maltose. Another important enzyme involved in carbohydrate metabolism is fructose- 1.6- diphosphatase. The role of this enzyme is to regulate the content of fructose- 1 .6- diphosphate, a key decomposition product of carbohydrates in animals, plants and microorganisms. Zinc in the form of two Zn 2+ atoms forms the hormone insulin produced by the pancreas. The role of this hormone is extremely important in carbohydrate metabolism, and its insufficient level in the body of an animal or human leads to a characteristic disease - diabetes. 14