1 The essential metals and their evolution. - 1. 1 The major metals. - 1. 2 The minor metals. - 1. 3 Metals and early biochemical evolution. - 2 The non-redox roles of metals ions. - 2. 1 Active sites of the non-redox metals. - 2. 2 Regulatory and trigger roles of metal ions. - 3 Electron transfer and redox reactions. - 3. 1 Metals as redox catalysts. - 3. 2 Electron carrier proteins. - 3. 3 Some enzymes containing molybdenum cobalt and iron. - 3. 4 Electron transfer in respiration and photosynthesis. - 4 Dealing with oxygen. - 4. 1 The activation and toxicity of oxygen. - 4. 2 Oxygen carriers. - 4. 3 Superoxide dismutases. - 4. 4 Oxidases. - 4. 5 Oxygenases. - 4. 6 Hydroperoxidases. - 4. 7 Some oxygen-activating groups. - 5 Metal metabolism. - 5. 1 Microbial ion carriers. - 5. 2 The major metals. - 5. 3 The minor metals. - Suggestions for further reading. Language: English