4. N+M- minerals

minerals

inorganic elements required in metabolism, extracted from soil by plants

mineral characteristics

4% of body weight (in bones and teeth), incorporated into organic molecules, some in inorganic compounds, some free in blood

mineral function

structural material for cells, muscle contraction, nerve impulse conduction, blood coagulation, pH regulation

major minerals

calcium, phosphorous, potassium, sulfur, sodium, chlorine, magnesium

calcium

structure of bones and teeth, essential for neurotransmitter release, muscle fiber contraction, cardiac action potential, blood coagulation, activates enzymes (milk, milk products)

phosphorous

bones and teeth, metabolic reactions, in nucleic acids, many proteins, some enzymes and vitamins, in cell membrane, ATP and body fluids (meats, cheese, nuts, grains)

potassium

maintain intracellular osmotic pressure and regulate pH, impulse conduction in neurons (avocados, apricots, meats, bananas)

sulfur

part of amino acids, thiamine, insulin, biotin, mucopolysaccharides (meats, eggs, legumes)

sodium

maintain osmotic pressure of extracellular fluids, regulates water movement, role in impulse conduction in neurons, regulates pH and transport of substances across cell membranes (table salt, ham, sauerkraut, cheese)

chlorine

associated with sodium, in cerebrospinal fluid and gastric juice (table salt, ham, sauerkraut, cheese)

magnesium

metabolic reactions in mitochondria that produce ATP, breakdown of ATP to ADP (milk, legumes, nuts, leafy greens)

trace elements

iron, manganese, copper, iodine, cobalt, zinc, fluorine, selenium, chromium

iron

part of hemoglobin, vitamin A synthesis, part of enzymes

manganese

part of enzymes for fatty acid and cholesterol synthesis, urea formation, normal nervous system

copper

hemoglobin synthesis, bone development, melanin production, myelin formation

iodine

synthesis of thyroid hormones

cobalt

component of cyanocobalamin, synthesis of enzymes

zinc

enzymes involved in digestion, respiration, bone metabolism, liver metabolism, wound healing and integrity of skin

fluorine

tooth enamel

selenium

certain enzymes

chromium

use of carbohydrates