Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS) Practice Exam 2025 - Free CNS Practice Questions and Study Guide

Alkaline phosphatase is an essential enzyme involved in various biochemical processes, including dephosphorylation, which plays a critical role in bone mineralization and liver function. Zinc is a crucial cofactor for alkaline phosphatase, enhancing its catalytic activity. This mineral is integral to the structure of many metalloenzymes, and a deficiency in zinc can lead to impaired enzyme function.

While other minerals, such as selenium, manganese, and iron, have their own important roles in various enzymatic processes and metabolic pathways, they do not specifically serve as essential cofactors for alkaline phosphatase. Manganese, for example, is involved in other enzymatic functions, such as in manganese superoxide dismutase. Iron is pivotal for hemoglobin and myoglobin function, and selenium plays a critical role in antioxidant defense and thyroid hormone metabolism. However, their involvement does not extend to alkaline phosphatase in the same manner as zinc, which is directly necessary for the enzyme's activity and stability.