Metabolism, Elemental Composition, Mineral Requirements

Living Objects

Two criteria to check an object is living,

1. If they show metabolism
2. If they can reproduce

Above two criteria if satisfy anything can be regarded as a living object.

Now you guys would be wondering what is metabolism so here it is discussed.

 

Metabolism

All kinds of chemical reactions taking place within a living object are called metabolism. It is divided in two categories. These are Anabolism and Catabolism. Nutrients which facilitates metabolism are called cofactors.

Anabolism :

All those reactions resulting into some kind of formation called Anabolism. You are confused ‘what kind of formation?’ There are so many elements and compounds as well as cells in our body. When elements, small compounds or cells combine together to form large compounds or group of cells then it is called formation.

          How to identify a named reaction is anabolism?

If a suffix ‘synthesis’ or ‘genesis’ is there with the name of the chemical reaction then it is called anabolism.

E.g. Photosynthesis

Catabolism :

All those reactions resulting into some kind of breakdown called catabolism. Breakdown means breaking of larger compounds or group of cells into smaller one.

How to identify a named reaction is catabolism?

If there are suffixes ‘kinesis’ or ‘lysis’ attached to the end of name of the chemical reaction then this reaction will be considered catabolism.

Kinesis :

If breakdown is in programmed way then it is called kinesis.

Ex. Cytokinesis. Here division of cell is in programmed way.

Lysis :

If breakdown is not in programmed way then it is called lysis.

Ex. Cytolysis. Here division of cell is in not in programmed way.

[Note : Always try to divide biological terms into fragments then find meaning of those fragments. Once you do this you will easily deduce the meaning of that term.

Ex. Cyto (Cell) + lysis (breakdown)

So cytolyses means breaking of cell that means cell division. ]

Macro & Micro Elemental Composition of Body

Major Elements :

About 99% of body mass is made up of only six elements which are called major elements and are extremely necessary for our body. These are oxygen (O), carbon(C), Hydrogen (H), Nitrogen (N), calcium (Ca), and phosphorus (P).

Minor Elements :

0.85% made up of another five elements which are called minor elements and also necessary for our body composition.  These are potassium (K), sulfur (S), sodium (Na), chlorine (Cl), and magnesium (Mg).

Traces :

Some other elements are also there which are not that necessary for our body but thought to be necessary for good health. These are called traces and are required in small amount. These are Boron (B), Chromium (Cr), Cobalt (Co), Copper (Cu), Fluorine (F), Iodine (F), Iron (Fe), Manganese (Mn), Molybdenum (Mo), Selenium (Se), Silicon (Si), Tin (Sn), Vanadium (V) and Zinc (Zn).

All these elements are also called nutrients.

Macro & Micro Elements :

Let’s divide in terms of Macro elements and Micro Elements.

Macro Elements	Micro Elements
All major elements discussed above plus all minor elements discussed above.	All the elements discussed above in Traces category

Some Important Elements :

Molybdenum (Mo)

Molybdenum is present within human tooth e camel and may help prevent its decay. Molybdenum is also required in cell metabolism involving nitrogen. Its deficiency causes whiptail disease.

Calcium (Ca)

It helps in blood coagulation (clotting). Calcium helps in building strong and denser bones in early stage of life and maintaining them in old age. Its deficiency causes Hemophilia, Hemorrhage, Rickets and tetany. Its deficiency in menopausal women can also result in osteoporosis where bone density decreases. Vitamin D is required to absorb calcium.

Iron (Fe)

Iron is present in hemoglobin. It helps as a carrier of oxygen to the tissues from the lungs in the form of hemoglobin. Too little iron can interfere with these vital functions and lead to morbidity and death. Some compounds look red. It is iron which is responsible for its color. For example human blood is red because of presence of iron.

Copper (Cu)

It helps in iron uptake. Copper deficiency can produce anemia-like symptoms, bone abnormalities, hypo pigmentation, impaired growth, and increased incidence of infections, osteoporosis, hyperthyroidism, and abnormalities in glucose and cholesterol metabolism. On the contrary an accumulation of copper in body tissues causes Wilson’s disease.

Some compounds are looking blue. Copper is responsible for its color. For example many living beings have their blood blue like lobsters, snails, octopus etc. This is because of presence of hemocyanin instead of hemoglobin. Copper because of its presence in hemocyanin turns its color to blue.

Megnasium (Mg)

More than 300 enzymes require presence of magnesium ions for their catalytic action. Magnesium plays a role in preventing both stroke and heart attack. Low levels of magnesium in the human body can cause asthma, diabetes, and osteoporosis.

Some compounds posses green color because of presence of magnesium.

Zinc (Zn)

Zinc possesses antioxidant properties, which may protect against accelerated aging of the skin and muscles of the body. Zinc also helps in fast healing process after an injury. It is also suspected of being beneficial to the body's immune system. It is also responsible for DNA maintenance.

Manganese (Mn)

Manganese is a component of some enzymes and responsible for development and activity of some other enzymes. Many enzymes activated by manganese helps in the metabolism of carbohydrates, amino acids, and cholesterol. A higher intake of some of the minerals helps in maintaining proper intake of manganese like Ca, Fe, and Mg.

Potassium (K)

Potassium is an essential element in human nutrition. It is a major positive ion (K+) inside animal cells, and responsible for maintaining fluid and electrolyte balance in the body. Potassium deficiency causes Hypokalemia (also hypopotassemia) where the concentration of potassium ion (K+) in the blood is low.

Sodium (Na)

Sodium is an essential nutrient that responsible for maintaining blood volume, blood pressure, osmotic equilibrium and pH. Sodium is also important for proper neuron function. Its deficiency causes Hyponatremia (lower concentration of sodium ion in plasma) and loss of blood volume.

Iodine (I)

It is the heaviest element commonly needed by living organisms. Its main role in animal body is as a constituent of the hormones (thyroxin). Deficiency or abundance of iodine can cause goiter.

Nitrogen (N)

Nitrogen is an essential building block of amino acids and nucleic acids. Humans and animals get their amino acids by eating plants and other organisms which contain proteins. Through digestion, the protein is broken down into amino acids.

 

Daily Mineral Requirements

Minerals	Daily Requirement
Calcium (Ca)	1200 mg
Phosphorus (P)	1200 mg
Magnesium (Mg)	400 mg
Zinc (Zn)	12-20 mg
Iron (Fe)	18mg
Copper (Cu)	2-2.5 mg
Potassium (K)	1 mg
Sodium (Na)	1 mg
Manganese (Mn)	0.5 mg
Iodine (I)	0.14 mg
Molybdenum (Mo)	Traces (very Small amount)