Biochemical effects of

copper

Presented by Mahnoor
 • Introduction
• Applications
• Sources
Contents • Copper effect in environment
• Copper in plants
• Copper toxicity in human
 Introduction
Copper is:
• 1b group element
• Reddish crystalline metal
• Malleable
• ductile
• good conductor of heat and electricity
• low chemical reactive
• Patina formation on oxidation
• main ore chalcopyrite (CuFeS2).
• Present in two forms:
• +1 oxidation state Copper(I) (cuprous)
• +2 oxidation state Copper(II) (cupric)
Coins Wires

Chalcopyrite
Patina
 wires
Applications Electrical equipment's
60%

Construction Roofing and plumbing

20%

Industrial machinery Heat exchanger

15%

Alloys Bronze(copper, tin)

Brass (copper, zinc)
5% Cupronickel (copper, nickel)
Gun metal (copper, tin, zinc)
 Sources

Natural activities Human activites

wood and
wind-blown decaying metal fertilizer
forest fires sea spray mining, fossil fuel
dust vegetation production production
burning
 Copper effect in environment

strongly
does not
attaches to interrupt the Deposited as Form water
break down
organic activity in sludge on soluble
in the
matter and soils river banks compounds
environment
minerals.
 Copper in plants

Function in:
• electron transport chain
• energy capture by oxidative proteins and enzyme
• vitamin A production

Deficiency:
• Leaves may be chlorotic or deep blue-green with margins rolled up
• The bark of trees is often rough and blistered, and gum may exude from fissures in the bark.
• Young shoots die back
• Flowering and fruiting may fail to develop in annual plants and they may die in the seedling stage
• Stunted growth
• Formation of gum pockets around central pith in oranges.
Chlorosis
Rolled
margins of
leaves

Gums at pith of
oranges
Blistered
bark with
gum
Copper toxicity in human
normal range is 70 to 140(mcg/dL) in blood

Rich edible sources are lobsters, pea, bean, liver, green vegetables, dark
chocolate whole grains etc

Found in muscles and liver of the body

Develop connective tissues of the body

Safe at low level but >140mcg/dL can cause copper toxicity

Cause acquired copper toxicity on consuming copper rich food and

supplement
 Copper Copper Copper
toxicity cause toxicity cause toxicity
through water through food symptoms

Corroded Corroded
Headache
pipes dishes

copper
Farm
cocktail Fever
operations
shakers

Industrial copper abdominal

waste drinkware cramps

blood in
your vomit

Kayser-
Fleischer
rings
 •
Prolonged •
kidney conditions
liver damage or failure
copper • heart failure
toxicity • brain damage

• Wilson’s disease
• liver disease
•
Acute •
hepatitis
anaemia (low red blood cell count)
copper • thyroid issues
toxicity • leukemia (blood cell cancer)
• lymphoma (lymph node cancer)
• rheumatoid arthritis
Kayser-Fleischer rings due to liver disease Comparison of normal and abnormal blood
or Wilson disease

rheumatoid arthritis Comparison of normal and inflamed liver

Chelation: Chelators are injected Gastric lavage: Remove copper
in blood making kidneys for directly from the stomach using
filtration. a suction tube.

Copper toxicity
treatment
Hemodialysis: Removes blood
Medications: Oral medications from the body and filters out
include penicillamine or waste using a device and filtered
dimercaprol. blood is returned to the body