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copper(Cu)
(kopīәr)
a chemical element, atomic number 29, atomic weight 63.54. It is necessary for bone formation and for the formation of blood
because it occurs in several oxidative enzymes including one involved in the transformation of inorganic iron into hemoglobin.
There is little danger of deficiency in ordinary diets because of relatively abundant supply and minute daily requirements.
Excessive copper in the body can be toxic, with vomiting, jaundice, hypotension, and sometimes coma; this may occur with excessive
intake of medicinal copper salts or in metabolic conditions such as Menkes syndrome or Wilson disease.
copper 67
a radioisotope of copper, atomic mass 67, with a half-life of 2.58 days; used in radiotherapy as well as for imaging, tracer
kinetic studies, and dosimetry.
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