Editing Trace element (section)

{{Short description|Element of low concentration}}
__NOTOC__
A '''trace element''' is a [[chemical element]] of a minute quantity, a trace amount, especially used in referring to a [[micronutrient]],<ref name="Bhattacharya">{{Cite journal|last1=Bhattacharya|first1=Preeti Tomar|last2=Misra|first2=Satya Ranjan|last3=Hussain|first3=Mohsina|date=2016-06-28|title=Nutritional Aspects of Essential Trace Elements in Oral Health and Disease: An Extensive Review|journal=Scientifica|volume=2016|pages=1–12|doi=10.1155/2016/5464373|pmid=27433374|pmc=4940574|language=en|doi-access=free}}</ref><ref name="MW1">{{cite web |title=Definition of Trace element |url=https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trace%20element |website=www.merriam-webster.com |access-date=30 June 2023 |language=en}}</ref> but is also used to refer to minor elements in the composition of a [[rock (geology)|rock]], or other [[analytical chemistry|chemical substance]].

In [[nutrition]], trace elements are classified into two groups: essential trace elements, and non-essential trace elements. Essential trace elements are needed for many physiological and biochemical processes in both plants and animals. Not only do trace elements play a role in biological processes but they also serve as catalysts to engage  in [[redox]] – oxidation and reduction mechanisms.<ref>{{cite web|title=What are Trace Elements ?|url=http://www.med.or.jp/english/pdf/2004_08/351_358.pdf|access-date=2020-12-06|archive-date=2023-02-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230218103949/https://www.med.or.jp/english/pdf/2004_08/351_358.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> Trace elements of some [[heavy metals]] have a [[Heavy metals#Biological role|biological role]] as essential [[micronutrient]]s.