If I had crazy strong jaws and teeth could I get my necessary dietary iron by munching on a very small piece wrought iron fence?
Iron is the element iron. as long as it's iron, it's an atom containing 26 protons (the number of protons dictates which element you have fyi). All the iron in your body and all the iron outside your body contains exactly 26 protons. outside your body iron aka Fe (an atom containing 26 protons, 26 electrons and around 30 neutrons - that number varies for different isotopes of iron) can exist in a multitude of chemical compounds and even in an elemental state. examples K3Fe(CN)6, and Fe, and Fe2O3, etc inside your body Iron can also exist in a variety of states. In some states, iron collects in your organs (not really a good thing). In others, it's used to transport oxygen within your bloodstream. Iron is the central atom in the molecule hemoglobin which transports oxygen and carbon dioxide within your body. In any case, iron is the atom iron.
