Ceruloplasmin has a high-affinity binding to which metal?

Ceruloplasmin has a high-affinity binding to which metal?

• A. Chromium
• B. Copper
• C. Zinc
• D. Iron

Answer: (B)

Ceruloplasmin is a copper-containing enzyme in the blood that carries the majority of plasma copper. Its key function is as a ferroxidase, converting Fe2+ to Fe3+ so iron can be transported by transferrin, a process that relies on copper as a tightly bound cofactor. Because copper is essential for ceruloplasmin’s structure and activity, the protein binds copper with high affinity, making copper the metal most closely associated with ceruloplasmin. The other metals listed do not form this strong, physiologically important association with ceruloplasmin.

Ceruloplasmin is a copper-containing enzyme in the blood that carries the majority of plasma copper. Its key function is as a ferroxidase, converting Fe2+ to Fe3+ so iron can be transported by transferrin, a process that relies on copper as a tightly bound cofactor. Because copper is essential for ceruloplasmin’s structure and activity, the protein binds copper with high affinity, making copper the metal most closely associated with ceruloplasmin. The other metals listed do not form this strong, physiologically important association with ceruloplasmin.