Instructions: This week we are learning about minerals. These inorganic nutrient
ID: 257775 • Letter: I
Question
Instructions: This week we are learning about minerals. These inorganic nutrients play a vital role in nutrition. Please select one mineral or water and describe “yourself”. Your post should be creative, contain relevant information about the mineral, and not give away what mineral you selected, as your classmates will be guessing on your identity. Describe the mineral in the first person, as if you are the mineral (or water). Do not give away the name of your mineral in the post or in the reference. If needed you may use xxxx or ***** to replace where the mineral name would be in a reference citation.
Explanation / Answer
The basic needs of all living organisms are essentially the same. They require macromolecules, such as carbohydrates, proteins and fats, and water and minerals for their growth and development.Dietary minerals are the chemical elements.Mineral is chemically,inorganic, it means that its chemical composition is without carbon.
Calcium is a chemical element with symbol Ca and atomic number 20 . alkaline earth metal, calcium is a reactive pale yellow metal that forms a dark oxide-nitride layer when exposed to air.Calcium is the fifth most abundant element in the human body and the most abundant metal. Calcium ions play a vital role in the physiology and biochemistry of organisms and the cell as electrolytes. They play an important role in signal transduction pathways, where they act as a second messenger, in neurotransmitter release from neurons, in contraction of all muscle cell types, and in fertilization. Many enzymes require calcium ions as a cofactor. Calcium ions outside cells are also important for maintaining the potential difference across excitable cell membranes, as well as proper bone formation.
The main foods rich in calcium are dairy products like milk, cheese and yogurt. However, many non-dairy sources are also high Calcium like seafood, leafy greens, legumes, dried fruit, tofu and various foods that are fortified with calcium.
From 14–18 years of age, the recommended calcium intake is 1300 mg/day. Between the ages of 19-50, the recommended intake is 1000 mg/day. For 50+ the calcium intake is 1200 mg/day
Calcium deficiency can cause man disease.
infants and children who are deficient in calcium have an increased risk of developing rickets. Low calcium in adolescents is a risk factor for bone fractures.
osteoporosis in adults, where the bones are so weak and porous that they can break under a normal stressor.
blood calcium levels are abnormally low, ineffective blood clotting and calcium tetany can occur. Calcium tetany causes muscle spasms.