Zinc or zinc is an important mineral chemical element because of its multiple uses. Its general characteristics: It bears the symbol Zn, the atomic number (30), its color is silvery or gray, and it has a distinctive brightness. Zinc is similar in some of its properties to the magnesium element. Other names include: zinc, and blackberries.
Zinc belongs to group (12) in the periodic table of elements, the first element in it, and this group is one of the groups (transition metals). This group has many other elements, including: cadmium (Cd), and mercury (Hg). Zinc interacts with many other elements, such as elements belonging to the halogen group, sulfur and others.
Zinc is one of the most abundant elements in the earth’s crust, where zinc is present in many countries and regions in the world. It is one of the most prolific producers of zinc: China, Peru, Australia, India, USA and Canada. Zinc does not exist freely in nature, but is mixed with other elements, such as gold, silver, cadmium and lead, and extracted from many materials, including: Spalers, Smithsonite, and others. Zinc is found in many plants and foods, such as cereals, legumes, nuts, seafood and meat.
Zinc has many important industrial uses, including:
- Zinc is used in iron cover; to protect it from corrosion and rust.
- Zinc is used in many industries, including: rubber industries, ceramic industries, cosmetics industry, and the manufacture of some medical preparations.
Human needs to zinc in small amounts do not exceed 15 mg per day, as zinc is very useful to the human body, and benefits:
- It plays an important role in the work of more than 200 enzymes in the body, which help the body perform its biological functions properly, such as brain, heart, breathing, digestion and other functions.
- Strengthens the immune system in the body, contributing to the strengthening of white blood cells.
- Strengthens memory.
- Zinc has many benefits on the skin and skin, as it contributes to the regeneration of skin cells, and is effective in the treatment of acne, and treatment of dandruff, where zinc enters the manufacture of some types of shampoo, and some types of ointments and creams. It also helps in the healing of wounds and burns.
- Zinc enters the production of sperm.
The human body may be exposed to many symptoms and health problems; due to lack of zinc, including:
- Loss of appetite and weight loss.
- Anemia.
- Delayed growth in children.
- Some skin problems, such as hair loss, rashes.
- Some psychological problems, such as depression.