Copper and Zinc.

Copper (Cu):

  • Function: Cofactor for enzymes like cytochrome c oxidase (ETC), lysyl oxidase (collagen cross-linking), and superoxide dismutase (SOD1) (antioxidant defense).

  • Deficiency: Causes microcytic hypochromic anemia, connective tissue defects, and Menkes disease (ATP7A mutation).

Zinc (Zn):

  • Function: Cofactor for over 300 enzymes, including DNA/RNA polymerases, carbonic anhydrase, and alkaline phosphatase.

  • Deficiency: Leads to growth retardation, impaired wound healing, hypogonadism, and acrodermatitis enteropathica (zinc malabsorption).

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