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

What is the typical biological function of the tissues, What is the typical...

What is the typical biological function of the connective tissues? How is this function associated to the main features of its cells? The typical function of the connective tis

How can the endoskeleton of echinoderm, Q How can the endoskeleton of echin...

Q How can the endoskeleton of echinoderms be characterized in comparison to analogous structures present in vertebrates, arthropods and molluscs? The echinoderm skeleton is int

What do you understand by hiatus hernia, Q. What do you understand by Hiatu...

Q. What do you understand by Hiatus Hernia? Several long/short term complications may arise due to GERD which may in turn increase the frequency or severity of this disease. On

Explain the dispersed phase of colloidal system, Explain the dispersed phas...

Explain the dispersed phase of colloidal system Colloidal systems are not restricted to the dispersion of a solid in liquid.  Each of the three states of matter - gaseous, soli

Illustrate about the non-concomitant, Non-concomitant or Paralytic Squint ...

Non-concomitant or Paralytic Squint This subdivision of manifest squint occurs when there is a deviation of the eye in different directions. The causes for non-concomitant squ

Explain the anthropometric measurements, Anthropometric measurements An...

Anthropometric measurements Anthropometry is the study of the measurement of the human body in terms of the dimensions of bone, muscle, and adipose (fat) tissue. Anthropometric

Mirco, what is wrong with pasteurs conclusion

what is wrong with pasteurs conclusion

Tracheal system in cockroach, Tracheal system in cockroach Cockroach...

Tracheal system in cockroach Cockroach belongs to phylum Arthropoda under invertebrate. They have specially developed tracheal system for respiration The system consis

Classification of environmental disasters, The Environmental Disasters Are ...

The Environmental Disasters Are Classified Into Two Major Categories: 1.      Natural Disasters like Earthquakes, Tsunami, Landslides, Cyclones, Floods, and Droughts Etc. 2.

Stress - responses of plants to stress, Stress - Responses of Plants to Str...

Stress - Responses of Plants to Stress Let us recall what happens within the natural communities occupying the same habitat. The relative location of two plants may place them

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