Define about the micro minerals, Biology

Assignment Help:

Define about the Micro Minerals?

Micro minerals are those minerals, which comprise less than 0.01% of the total body weight and are required in concentrations of one part per million or less. Initially, these minerals were also referred to as 'trace minerals' or 'trace elements' as their concentration in tissues were not easily quantified by early analytical methods. A trace element/mineral, as you may be aware, can be defined as a chemical element present in minute quantities; especially one used by organisms and held essential to their physiology. A micro mineral or a micro nutrient, on the other hand, is an organic compound essential in minute amounts for the growth and health of an animal.

Like macro minerals, micro minerals must also be present in the body in optimal range for normal functioning. Whenever, the concentration is too low or too high, the body functions are impaired. The functions and routes of metabolism for some micro elements are well established both in animals and humans while for others, the data are available only from animal studies. They normally function as a cation (ion with a positive charge) complexed with organic ligands or chelators. Proteins are the most important chelators. Besides these, porphyrin (the ring structure present in haemoglobin) and corrins (the ring structure in vitamin BI2) are other important chelators. As components of enzymes and proteins, these minerals frequently participate in redox reactions (reactions which involve the transfer of electrons) with the metal often functioning as the electron carrier. However, minerals such as zinc and manganese along with macro elements calcium and magnesium perform non-redox functions in proteins and enzymes. Since many of the micro minerals share common mechanism for absorption, they compete with each other for absorption in the small intestine. Thus, excess of one micro element can aggravate the deficiency of another. Iron and zinc are the best known examples.


Related Discussions:- Define about the micro minerals

Discuss in detail about the human brain, Discuss in detail about the human ...

Discuss in detail about the human brain  "wiring-up" of our brain begins in early development. When our genetic blueprint largely drives this wiring in womb, a newborn baby's b

Water logging-water stress, Water Logging Over saturation of soil with ...

Water Logging Over saturation of soil with water is called water logging. If for any reason, the water-table rises close to the ground surface it is bad for plants and soil fer

Do squids and octopus have exoskeleton, Q. Do squids and octopus have exosk...

Q. Do squids and octopus have exoskeleton? Squids and Octopus generally do not produce external shell (some squid species can have an internal shell). One cephalopod group the

Action of hormones, Action of Hormones We said earlier that hormones a...

Action of Hormones We said earlier that hormones are released into the blood stream or extracellular fluid and therefore, reach most of the cells of the body. However, they

Phosphorus cycle, Phosphorus cycle is sedimentary cycle because it does not...

Phosphorus cycle is sedimentary cycle because it does not enter into atmosphere. It can be found on earth in water, soil and sediments. The phosphorus cycle is the biogeochemical c

Clinical manifestations of bronchial asthma, Clinical Manifestations C...

Clinical Manifestations Can be chronic to acute, mild to severe. Acute attack often occur at night. During an acute attack, audible inspiratory and expiratory wheezing. Patie

Role of a nurse in legal psychiatry, ROLE OF A NURSE IN LEGAL PSYCHIATRY: ...

ROLE OF A NURSE IN LEGAL PSYCHIATRY: 1)   Standard Care : The nurse must function at laid down standards and keep up with the standard of  care by  knowing the policies  & pro

Off pump surgery , OFF PUMP SURGERY :  In spite of great advancements in t...

OFF PUMP SURGERY :  In spite of great advancements in techniques of cardio pulmonary bypass, it is still not physiological. There can be various complications related to perfusion

Explain management of ledge - non-surgical endodontic, Explain Management o...

Explain Management of Ledge - Non-Surgical Endodontic Retreatment Place a bend of approximately 45 degree in the apical 1-2 mm of a #15 to 25 file. By gentle reciproca

Write Your Message!

Captcha
Free Assignment Quote

Assured A++ Grade

Get guaranteed satisfaction & time on delivery in every assignment order you paid with us! We ensure premium quality solution document along with free turntin report!

All rights reserved! Copyrights ©2019-2020 ExpertsMind IT Educational Pvt Ltd