Biomolecules & Polymers Nutrients | California State University, Chico

University:
California State University, Chico
Course:
CHEM 370 | Organic Chemistry II
Academic year:

2022
Views:

477

Pages:

2
Author:

Ean Mason

BIOMOLECULES & POLYMERS NUTRIENTS Sodium, Potassium and Chlorine + (i) Na is the principal mineral cation in the extracellular fluid. + (ii) K is the principal cation inside the cell. – (iii) Cl is the principal mineral anion in the ECF. + + (iv) Na and K are essential to the maintenance of water balance and acid-base balance. + + (v) Na and K are important in nerve impulse transmission. Calcium and Phosphorus (i) Calcium and phosphorus are deposited in bones and teeth to give them strength and rigidity. 2+ (ii) Ca is also essential for blood coagulation, neuromuscular function, cardiac function and actions of many enzymes and hormones. (iii) Phosphorus enters into many compounds such as nucleic acids and phospholipids, many coenzymes and high energy compounds like ATP. (iv) Calcium plays an essential role in sustaining intestinal peristalsis and growth of body tissues. Iron (i) Iron is required for haemoglobin synthesis. (ii) Iron is essential both for transportation of oxygen to tissues and for operation of oxidative systems within the tissue cells. Magnesium (i) Magnesium is required as a catalyst for many intracellular enzymatic reactions, particularly those relating to carbohydrate metabolism. (ii) Mg is the central metal atom in chlorophyll Iodine Iodine is used in the synthesis of thyroid hormones. Zinc (i) Zinc is a constituent of carbonic anhydrase, present in RBCs helping in CO transport. 2 (ii) Zinc is a component to lactic dyhydrogenase, important for the interconversion between pyruvic acid and lactic acid (iii) Zinc is a component part of some peptidases and therefore is important for digestion of proteins in the alimentary canal Cobalt (i) Cobalt helps in erythropoiesis and in the activities of some enzymes. . (ii) It is present in vitamin B 12 Copper (i) Copper helps in the utilisation of iron. (ii) Copper deficiency may produce anaemia because of failure in iron utilisation. Molybdenum (i) Molybdenum is a constituent of oxidase enzymes (xanthine oxidase) (ii) Molybdenum plays an important role in biological nitrogen fixation Fluorine (i) Fluorine maintains normal dental enamel and prevents dental caries. (ii) Excessive intake of fluorine cause fluorosis characterized by mottled teeth and enlarged bones.