Biochemistry

Excess magnesium can also lead to disease, since Mg 2+ serves as the physiological antagonist of another divalent cation - Ca 2+ . Therefore, Mg 2+ displaces Ca 2+ from protein and mineral compounds with prolonged intake. Imbalance between these cations can lead to rickets. Calcium is one of the most important elements of inanimate nature. It makes up about 3% of the mass of the earth's crust and forms hundreds of various minerals and rocks. In an adult's body, the Ca content exceeds 1 kg, and the soluble and insoluble compounds of this metal are in dynamic equilibrium: on average, every 7 years, bone tissue is completely renewed. In addition to calcium, other metals can also be included in the composition of bone tissue: magnesium, cadmium and strontium. Calcium plays an important role in the exchange of not only mineral, but also bioorganic compounds. So, Ca 2 ’ activates lipid breakdown by increasing the activity of the corresponding lipid metabolism enzymes. Maintaining the structure of an important a-amylase starch breakdown enzyme, calcium is involved in the dissimilation of carbohydrates. In addition, the Ca 2 ’ ions play a central role in the functioning of contractile proteins, as well as in water metabolism, since its cations have positive hydration, that is, they cause the binding of water molecules. Manganese is quite common in the Earth's crust (0.1% of the total mass). As a microelement, Mn plays an important role in biological systems. The value of this biogenic element in the metabolism consists, for example, in the fact that in the form of the Mn 2+ cation it participates in the formation of pyruvic acid, a key compound in the breakdown of carbohydrates. The Krebs cycle (the final stage of the aerobic decomposition of carbohydrates and lipids) is also carried out with the active participation of Mn 2+ . Manganese is a part of a number of peptidase enzymes that ensure cleavage of C--N bonds in amino acids, that is, it participates in the exchange of amino acids and proteins. It turned out that the synthesis of fatty acids also requires the presence of Mn 2+ compounds. The role of Mn ‘ cations in the exchange of nucleic acids is also important, since they activate phosphodiesterase enzymes, which ensure the breakdown of the phosphodiester bond in DNA and RNA molecules. Mn' is also involved in bone formation processes. It activates phosphatase enzymes responsible for the deposition of insoluble calcium phosphates in the bones. The lack of manganese in the body, especially against the background of excess Ca and P, leads to the breakdown of the most important biochemical processes. First of all, manganese is needed by growing organisms. For a long time, such alkalis as sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and potassium hydroxide (KOH) were known to man. When metals were isolated from these 16