Minerals

Minerals

Inorganic micronutrients required in small amounts, classified into macrominerals and microminerals.

Macrominerals

Minerals present at larger levels in the body or required in larger amounts in the diet (>50mg/kg tissue).

Minerals

Inorganic micronutrients required in small amounts, classified into macrominerals and microminerals.

Macrominerals

Minerals present at larger levels in the body or required in larger amounts in the diet (>50mg/kg tissue).

Microminerals

Trace minerals present at low levels in the body or required in low amounts in the diet (<50mg/kg tissue).

Calcium (Ca)

The most abundant mineral, important for bones, nerve impulses, muscle contraction, and blood clotting.

Phosphorus (P)

Essential for bones/teeth, ATP, and DNA/RNA synthesis, absorption enhanced by Vitamin D.

Magnesium (Mg)

Structural component of bones, required for nerve impulses and muscle relaxation, cofactor in energy metabolism.

Sodium (Na)

An electrolyte that helps control body fluid volume and create nerve impulses.

Potassium (K)

An electrolyte that supports nutrient absorption and contributes to fluid balance in the body.

Chloride (Cl)

An electrolyte that helps maintain blood pH and fluid volume.

Sulfur (S)

Required for the synthesis of structural proteins and as a component of certain vitamins.

Iron (Fe)

Essential for hemoglobin production; deficiency leads to anemia.

Copper (Cu)

Required for hemoglobin production and red blood cell production; deficiency causes anemia.

Zinc (Zn)

Cofactor for >100 enzymes; vital for male reproduction and skin health.

Selenium (Se)

Trace mineral that acts as an antioxidant and plays a role in smooth muscle contraction.

Transcellular Absorption

Active transport that uses ATP and transporter proteins to absorb minerals.

Paracellular Absorption

Passive transport that moves minerals from high to low concentration without energy.

Mineral Antagonism

The hindrance of one mineral's absorption by the presence of another.

Vitamin D3

Enhances transcellular absorption of minerals like calcium.

Rickets

A deficiency disease in young animals caused by lack of calcium or phosphorus.

Osteoporosis

A condition in adults resulting from calcium deficiency leading to bone weakness.

Hypocalcemia

A condition known as milk fever in dairy cows due to low calcium levels.

Phytic Acid

A compound in grains that binds phosphorus, making it unabsorbable for monogastrics.

Grass Tetany

A deficiency disease in grazing animals caused by low magnesium levels.

Electrolytes

Minerals that control body fluid volume, create nerve impulses, and support nutrient absorption.

Dietary Antagonism

Situation where the abundance of one mineral interferes with the absorption of another.

Enzyme Activators

Minerals that enhance enzyme activity, like magnesium for pyruvate kinase.

Molybdenum

A micromineral that plays a role in certain enzyme activities in the body.

Fluorine

A micromineral that helps in maintaining dental health.

Skeletal Role

The structural role of minerals like calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium in bones and teeth.

Milk Production

A physiological function that requires adequate calcium levels.

Sodium Chloride (NaCl)

Common salt needed for supplementation in diets low in sodium and chloride.

Oxidative Stress

Cell damage caused by free radicals, protected against by selenium.

Sulfate in Water

Can cause diarrhea and interfere with copper absorption in ruminants.

Cobalt (Co)

A trace mineral that's a component of vitamin B12 and is essential for certain metabolic processes.

Nickel

A trace mineral whose exact biological role in mammals is not fully understood.

Mineral Transporters

Proteins that facilitate the absorption of minerals in the small intestine.

Hemoglobin Production

The process in which iron is essential, leading to oxygen transport in the blood.

Copper Storage

Copper is primarily stored in the liver after absorption.

Nutrient Absorption

The process facilitated by sodium and potassium for glucose and amino acids.

Dietary Levels

The amounts of specific macrominerals and microminerals present in animal diets.

Physiological State

Refers to the different conditions in which an animal may have varying mineral requirements.

Grazing Animals

Animals that obtain their nutrition mainly from consuming grass and forage.

Soil Concentration

The level of minerals in soil that affects the mineral content of forage.

Trace Mineral Deficiency

A condition occurring when essential microminerals are inadequately supplied.

Enzymatic Functions

Biochemical roles of minerals as cofactors in various metabolic pathways.