Which mineral contributes to body tissue formation and gives strength to keratin?

Which mineral contributes to body tissue formation and gives strength to keratin?

• A. Iron
• B. Sulphur
• C. Zinc
• D. Calcium

Answer: (B)

Sulfur strengthens keratin because it is a key part of the amino acids that make up keratin, especially cysteine. Cysteine contains sulfur, and keratin fibers are linked together by disulfide bonds between these sulfur-containing amino acids. Those bonds create strong, stable cross-links that give keratin-rich tissues—like hair, nails, and skin—their durability. So sulfur directly supports the formation of body tissue and provides the strength of keratin. Other minerals support different bodily functions—iron for oxygen transport, zinc for enzyme activity and protein synthesis in general, and calcium for bones and teeth—but they don’t provide the sulfur-based cross-links that harden keratin.

Sulfur strengthens keratin because it is a key part of the amino acids that make up keratin, especially cysteine. Cysteine contains sulfur, and keratin fibers are linked together by disulfide bonds between these sulfur-containing amino acids. Those bonds create strong, stable cross-links that give keratin-rich tissues—like hair, nails, and skin—their durability. So sulfur directly supports the formation of body tissue and provides the strength of keratin.

Other minerals support different bodily functions—iron for oxygen transport, zinc for enzyme activity and protein synthesis in general, and calcium for bones and teeth—but they don’t provide the sulfur-based cross-links that harden keratin.