Question

Copper is an essential element. All of the following are correct about copper except A. it is a component of several oxidase enzymes. B. it is involved in the conversion of stearic acid to oleic acid. C. copper deficiency may lead to anemia. D. cellular uptake and efflux of copper are catalyzed by different transporters. E. copper deficiency occurs in tandem with a zinc deficiency.

Short answer

Answer: B. it is involved in the conversion of stearic acid to oleic acid.

Step-by-step solution

Analyze statement A

A. it is a component of several oxidase enzymes. Copper is indeed a component of several oxidase enzymes, such as cytochrome c oxidase and superoxide dismutase. These enzymes play a critical role in various biological processes, including cellular respiration and oxidative stress response. Thus, statement A is correct.

Analyze statement B

B. it is involved in the conversion of stearic acid to oleic acid. Copper is not directly involved in the conversion of stearic acid to oleic acid. This conversion is primarily facilitated by the enzyme stearoyl-CoA desaturase, which introduces a double bond into the fatty acid chain. Copper does not play a role in this specific process, so statement B is incorrect.

Analyze statement C

C. copper deficiency may lead to anemia. Copper deficiency may indeed lead to anemia, as it is involved in iron metabolism. A shortage of copper can negatively affect the absorption of iron and its incorporation into hemoglobin, leading to anemia. Therefore, statement C is correct.

Analyze statement D

D. cellular uptake and efflux of copper are catalyzed by different transporters. Copper transport in cells is regulated through different transport proteins responsible for its uptake and efflux. One such example is that copper uptake is primarily mediated by the CTR1 transporter, while its efflux is facilitated by ATP7A and ATP7B transporters. Thus, statement D is correct.

Analyze statement E

E. copper deficiency occurs in tandem with a zinc deficiency. Copper and zinc levels are interrelated in the body, and an imbalance in one can affect the other. Although copper deficiency can be associated with zinc deficiency, it is not always the case. However, statement E is still considered correct. In conclusion, the incorrect statement about copper is B: it is involved in the conversion of stearic acid to oleic acid.