描述
Zinc, also known as zinc ion or zn2+, is a member of the class of compounds known as homogeneous transition metal compounds. Homogeneous transition metal compounds are inorganic compounds containing only metal atoms,with the largest atom being a transition metal atom. Zinc can be found in a number of food items such as sunburst squash (pattypan squash), star fruit, kelp, and common salsify, which makes zinc a potential biomarker for the consumption of these food products. Zinc can be found primarily in blood, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), saliva, and urine, as well as in human brain, erythrocyte and liver tissues. Zinc exists in all living species, ranging from bacteria to humans. In humans, zinc is involved in several metabolic pathways, some of which include pantoprazole action pathway, pyruvate metabolism, cimetidine action pathway, and phenylbutazone action pathway. Zinc is also involved in several metabolic disorders, some of which include gamma-glutamyltransferase deficiency, 3-phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase deficiency, MNGIE (mitochondrial neurogastrointestinal encephalopathy), and cystathionine beta-synthase deficiency. Moreover, zinc is found to be associated with continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis, kidney disease, chronic renal failure, and hemodialysis. Zinc is a non-carcinogenic (not listed by IARC) potentially toxic compound. The element was probably named by the alchemist Paracelsus after the German word Zinke (prong, tooth). German chemist Andreas Sigismund Marggraf is credited with discovering pure metallic zinc in 1746. Work by Luigi Galvani and Alessandro Volta uncovered the electrochemical properties of zinc by 1800. Corrosion-resistant zinc plating of iron (hot-dip galvanizing) is the major application for zinc. Other applications are in electrical batteries, small non-structural castings, and alloys such as brass. A variety of zinc compounds are commonly used, such as zinc carbonate and zinc gluconate (as dietary supplements), zinc chloride (in deodorants), zinc pyrithione (anti-dandruff shampoos), zinc sulfide (in luminescent paints), and zinc methyl or zinc diethyl in the organic laboratory . Ingestion of large doses of zinc causes stomach cramps, nausea, and vomiting. Acute inhalation of large amounts of zinc causes metal fume fever, which is characterized by chills, fever, headache, weakness, dryness of the nose and throat, chest pain, and coughing. Dermal contact with zinc results in skin irritation (L49) (T3DB).