Why Is Iron In Our Blood & Not Any Other Metal?

Question

I know our blood smells like metal because we have Iron in it. But it got me thinking...why is Iron and our blood and not any other metal. What is it about Iron that makes me better for us than anything else. I think I remember learning that Iron is a chelating agent, so is that the only reason?

Thanks!

Answer 1

It sounds hard to believe, but the human body is composed of trace amounts of several different metals, including copper, magnesium, and zinc, in addition to iron.

Iron is an extremely important element found in the body's red blood cells only (not the white), because without iron, it would be impossible for the red blood cells to transport oxygen to all the cells in the body. The atomic structure of Iron enables it to form bonds with the O2 molecute, so the RBC's carry the O2 along as they move through the bloodstream. Any organ denied an O2 supply for more than several minutes will begin to die.

Re: your statement about blood smelling like metal...I don't believe there is any scientific basis for this. If this were true, then doctors would sniff blood to help determine if the iron content of blood was low, and I've never seen any tests involving the aroma of blood in any of my medical books.

Answer 2

Is Iron In Blood

Answer 3

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Why Is Iron In Our Blood & Not Any Other Metal?
I know our blood smells like metal because we have Iron in it. But it got me thinking...why is Iron and our blood and not any other metal. What is it about Iron that makes me better for us than anything else. I think I remember learning that Iron is a chelating agent, so is that the only...

Answer 4

Sodium, potassium and calcium are all metals, and there are lesser amounts of other metals. The hemoglobin molecule has iron in it, and that's why it's important, especially for people who are losing blood on a routine basis (like menstruating women), though even a small amount of supplement may be detrimental to the health of others. But it's good of you to investigate, rather than put a silly "good" or "bad" label on it, as so many want to do.

Answer 5

Not true. We have many metals or minerals in our body. Look on the side of vitamins and you will see other minerals beside iron. These minerals and metals are often found in foods that we eat. You can also see the nutritional facts on the sides of cans and packaging that shows what they contain.

Answer 6

Iron is a fundamental part of the hemoglobin molecule, which carries oxygen throughout our bodies. Without it, you can't make hemoglobin, and you become anemic.

Interestingly, octopus blood has a different molecule to carry oxygen, hemocyanin, which gives their blood a bluish tinge.

Answer 7

Iron is not the only metal in the blood. Blood contains salt and this is Sodium chloride. Sodium is a metal, but is only found as sodium ions. There is another similar metal called Potassium. The blood also contains Calcium ions. Because the blood carrys food and oxygen to body cells, it therefore contains all the other minerals the body needs like Cobalt, Zinc and Copper.

A chelating agent is a chemical which forms special bonds with metal atoms. Iron ordinarily has up to three ordinary chemical bonds but can form up to six bonds with a chelating agent. The chelating agent in the blood is hemoglobin. The iron atom is attached to 4 nitrogen atoms in a chelated complex. It still is able to hold two oxygen atoms and this is how it carrys oxygen around the body. Iron is what is known as a transition metal. Transition metals have "D" atomic orbitals and these can form the kinds of bonds required in chelated complexes. Another transition metal found in the body is cobalt. The chelating agent for Cobalt is vitamin B12. This vitamin is used to help manufacture hemoglobin in red blood cells.

Answer 8

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Stand next to a really big magnet. It will be drawn out of your pores in the form of vapour.

Answer 9

Iron the metal is different than iron the mineral in our bodies. It helps to build strong red blood cells. It helps to prevent anemia, it is in our food. so we definitely need it, if we eat, of course. All things work together. Not one mineral is better than another. they are all important to us as human beings. In our food is all of the ingredients necessary to sustain life. if we donot get enough of one of more nutrients, we will get sick or die if left too long. the diseases out there are proof of that. Eat healthy and you should do well. Good luck and God bless.