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 precautions for gram staining of bacterial cultures, Explain Precau...

Explain Precautions for Gram Staining of Bacterial Cultures? 1. The dilutions should be chosen on the basis of expected counts in the food sample. 2. Food should be kept in

What is the salivary digestive enzyme, Q. What is the salivary digestive en...

Q. What is the salivary digestive enzyme? Which type of food does it digest and into which smaller molecules does it transform the food? The salivary hydrolase is known as sali

Transport of gases in blood, Transport of Gases in Blood We know that ...

Transport of Gases in Blood We know that two types of gas exchanges are constantly occurring in the animal body--one at the inter phase of the respiratory membrane and externa

Final energetic products of every round of the krebs cycle, Q. What are the...

Q. What are the final energetic products of every round of the Krebs cycle? And Where is most part of the utile energy at the end of Krebs cycle found? After each round of the

Does every gene mutation cause alteration in the protein, Does every gene m...

Does every gene mutation cause alteration in the protein the gene normally codifies? Not each gene mutation causes alteration in the composition of the protein the gene codifie

Formula concentration and supplementation - calorie density, Define Formula...

Define Formula Concentration and Supplementation - Calorie Density? Formula Concentration can be done by decreasing the amount or water added in the mixing of the formula. Sta

Explain about the spinal trauma, Explain about the Spinal Trauma? Spina...

Explain about the Spinal Trauma? Spinal trauma or spinal cord injury, commonly clue to accidents, fills, sports injury can result in serious disabling consequences. The spinal

Reproduction, Which are the larval stages of Porifera?

Which are the larval stages of Porifera?

What food items include in clear liquid diet, What Food items include in cl...

What Food items include in clear liquid diet -  Clear, fat free soups/broths -  Light coffee, tea (without milk or cream) -  Strained fruit juices -  Tender coconut wa

Why physiological cause of the syndrome called as cretinism, Q. What is the...

Q. What is the physiological cause of the syndrome Called as cretinism? Cretinism is caused by chronic deficiency of the thyroid hormones (T4and T3) during childhood. The chron

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