**Core Concept**
The question is testing the knowledge of antioxidant properties of certain minerals. Vitamin E is a well-known antioxidant that protects cells from oxidative damage caused by free radicals. A mineral with similar action to vitamin E would be expected to have antioxidant properties as well.

**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
Selenium is a mineral that acts as an antioxidant in the body by activating selenoproteins, which help to neutralize free radicals and protect cells from damage. Selenium works by donating an electron to free radicals, thereby preventing them from causing oxidative stress. This mechanism is similar to that of vitamin E, which also donates an electron to neutralize free radicals.

**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A:** Zinc is an essential mineral, but it does not have antioxidant properties similar to vitamin E. While zinc is involved in many enzymatic reactions, its primary function is not as an antioxidant.

**Option B:** Copper is another essential mineral, but it is not known for its antioxidant properties. Copper is involved in the production of red blood cells and the maintenance of healthy connective tissues, but it does not have a direct role in neutralizing free radicals.

**Option C:** Manganese is a mineral that plays a role in many enzymatic reactions, including those involved in antioxidant defenses. However, it is not as closely associated with antioxidant properties as selenium.

**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
Selenium deficiency can lead to a condition called Keshan disease, which is characterized by cardiomyopathy and muscle weakness. This is a critical fact to remember when evaluating patients with muscle weakness or cardiomyopathy.

**Correct Answer:** D. Selenium.