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

Explain about the effect of nutrient and drug interaction, Explain about th...

Explain about the Effect of Nutrient and Drug Interaction? Medicines can treat and cure many health problems. Nevertheless, do you recall your doctor advising or recommending c

Explain electron volt, Explain Electron Volt Electron Volt: Amount of k...

Explain Electron Volt Electron Volt: Amount of kinetic energy obtained by an electron, initially at rest, after undergoing an acceleration by a one volt potential difference.

What are Modes of Nutrition, What is Nutrition? Explain types of nutrition?...

What is Nutrition? Explain types of nutrition? Nutrition - Taking Nutrients from environment Nutrients - Substances which are needed for the sources of chemical potential en

Dideoxy sequencing, Dideoxy Sequencing is the enzymatic determination and ...

Dideoxy Sequencing is the enzymatic determination and consideration of DNA or RNA sequence by the rechnique of Sanger and colleagues, based on incorporation of the chain terminati

Safety measures in the administration of drugs, SAFETY MEASURES IN THE ADMI...

SAFETY MEASURES IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF DRUGS It is essential to revise the five "Rights" before administration of medication to the paediatric group. These as you know are:

Explain about natural pigments, Explain about natural pigments There ha...

Explain about natural pigments There has been an extensive search of the microbial, plant and animal kingdoms for pigments that possess both high tinctorial power/strength (a m

Development of fruit, Development of Fruit Concurrent with the develo...

Development of Fruit Concurrent with the development of the seed(s), the ovary is transformed into a fruit. The fruit protects the seeds and allows their release or germinati

Explain ebb or shock period - dietary management for burn, Explain the Ebb ...

Explain the Ebb or Shock Period - Dietary Management for Burns? During the initial bums after injury, the focus is on counteracting the stress induced neurohormonal and physiol

Explain in brief about the cell membrane, Explain in brief about the Cell M...

Explain in brief about the Cell Membrane All cells, whether prokaryotic or eukaryotic, are bound by a limiting membrane called the cell membrane or the plasma membrane. The ce

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