Answer
Question: Is a trace element an essential element? Explain.
Suggested Answer: Yes. Organisms require trace elements even though only very small quantities are needed.
Work Step by Step
A trace element is a chemical element present only in minute amounts in an organism (when relating to biology).
An essential element is a chemical element that an organism needs in order to grow.
Trace elements are necessary for producing enzymes and hormones. An example of this is iron, which is a necessary part of hemoglobin and myoglobin, responsible for transporting oxygen around the body. The average human will only have about 3 grams of iron in their body at any point, but without it they would die.