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Abstract Iron is a member of the group of transition metals which share two important properties, the ability to exist in several oxidation statos and the ability to form stable complexes. It is these properties which have made the transition elements important components of electron and oxygen carrying proteins Among the metctllic elements, iron easily quctlifies for preeminent interest in biochemistry and medicine. Not only is it the most abundant metal, but its biochemical functions are extremely diverse ranging from the activation of oxygen, nitrog<·n and hydrogen to the control of electron flow througl1 numerous bioenergetic pathways, The l1uman body contains 4-5 grams of iron. Zinc is second, among the metals, with about 2 grams. Other metals are present in much smaller (80, 20, 9, 6 and 1 mg) for Cu, ~!n, Mo, Cr and Co, respectively(l) or genuinPly ”trace” quanti ties. Of the total iron a few hundr••d mg are found as an essential part of various oxidativv enzymes and of myoglobin. About 3 g are present in haemog-lobin nnd the rest, amounting to bl:’tween u.5 and 2.0 g,With a great individual variation, is situated in orKans such as the liver, spleen and bone marrow, Owing to the normal breakdown of red blood cells some 20-25 mg of iron are liberated from haemoglobin each day and this q11antity is liberated into the plasma |