From the list of essential elements below pick the letter that corresponds to your last name (e.g. last name starts with A. = Calcium), and write an essay about the function in that element in human biochemistry. Essays with less than 1000 words will received reduced credit. Your reference list does not contribute to the word count. You can use any resource to acquire information about your element, but the writing must be entirely in your own words. The topics listed below need to be covered and should orient you to what is expected. Remember we are seeking biochemical information at a molecular level, not just nutritional requirements. Cite at least 5 references that you used to answer this question.
Compare the element’s abundance in the environment vs its concentration in human cells.
How is the element assimilated/transported into human cells?
What is the element’s biological function in human physiology?
Is the element bound to proteins or other biopolymers and if so how?
If the element serves as a cofactor in enzyme reactions describe its catalytic role.
If the element not permanently bound to an organic molecule is it bound transiently and how?
What happens if there is a nutritional deficiency of the element?
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