Podcast
Questions and Answers
Which of the following is NOT a major element?
Which of the following is NOT a major element?
- Molybdenum
- Sulfur
- Calcium
- Iodine (correct)
What percentage of total calcium in the human body is extracellular?
What percentage of total calcium in the human body is extracellular?
- 5%
- 10%
- 1% (correct)
- 0.1%
What is the recommended daily intake of calcium for an adult?
What is the recommended daily intake of calcium for an adult?
- 800 mg
- 1000 mg
- 200 mg
- 500 mg (correct)
Which of the following is a minor element?
Which of the following is a minor element?
What is the primary source of calcium?
What is the primary source of calcium?
What is the role of vitamin D in calcium absorption?
What is the role of vitamin D in calcium absorption?
What is the effect of phytic acid on calcium absorption?
What is the effect of phytic acid on calcium absorption?
Which of the following minerals is toxic and should be avoided?
Which of the following minerals is toxic and should be avoided?
What is the effect of cooking on phytate content?
What is the effect of cooking on phytate content?
Oxalates are commonly found in which type of vegetables?
Oxalates are commonly found in which type of vegetables?
What is the function of calcium in muscle contraction?
What is the function of calcium in muscle contraction?
What is the normal range of calcium levels in blood?
What is the normal range of calcium levels in blood?
What is the function of calcium in the transmission of nerve impulses?
What is the function of calcium in the transmission of nerve impulses?
What is the role of calcium in the coagulation cascade?
What is the role of calcium in the coagulation cascade?
What is the effect of vitamin D on calcium absorption?
What is the effect of vitamin D on calcium absorption?
What is the function of calcitriol in the body?
What is the function of calcitriol in the body?
What is the effect of vitamin D on osteoblasts?
What is the effect of vitamin D on osteoblasts?
Which cells secrete parathyroid hormone (PTH)?
Which cells secrete parathyroid hormone (PTH)?
What is the effect of PTH on bones?
What is the effect of PTH on bones?
What is the effect of calcitonin on serum calcium level?
What is the effect of calcitonin on serum calcium level?
What is the relationship between PTH and calcitonin?
What is the relationship between PTH and calcitonin?
What is the effect of calcitonin on osteoclasts?
What is the effect of calcitonin on osteoclasts?
What is the effect of PTH on kidney function?
What is the effect of PTH on kidney function?
What is the effect of PTH when blood calcium levels are low?
What is the effect of PTH when blood calcium levels are low?
What is the term for when the blood calcium level is more than 10.5 mg/dl?
What is the term for when the blood calcium level is more than 10.5 mg/dl?
What is the major cause of hypercalcemia?
What is the major cause of hypercalcemia?
What is the condition characterized by a serum calcium level less than 8 mg/dl?
What is the condition characterized by a serum calcium level less than 8 mg/dl?
What can be a life-threatening consequence of hypocalcemia?
What can be a life-threatening consequence of hypocalcemia?
What is a possible consequence of chronic calcium deficiency?
What is a possible consequence of chronic calcium deficiency?
Which of the following does not cause tetany?
Which of the following does not cause tetany?
Study Notes
Minerals for Normal Growth and Maintenance
- The human body requires certain minerals for normal growth and maintenance.
- Minerals are classified into two groups: major elements (required in amounts > 100 mg/day) and minor elements or trace elements (required in amounts < 100 mg/day).
Major Elements
- Calcium (Ca++)
- Magnesium
- Phosphorus
- Sodium
- Potassium
- Chloride
- Sulfur
- Fluoride
Minor Elements (Microminerals or Trace Elements)
- Iron
- Iodine
- Copper
- Manganese
- Zinc
- Molybdenum
- Selenium
Toxic Minerals to Avoid
- Aluminium
- Lead
- Cadmium
- Mercury
Calcium (Ca++)
Sources of Calcium
- Milk (good source)
- Egg, fish, and vegetables (medium sources)
- Cereals (wheat, rice) (small amount)
Daily Requirement of Calcium
- Adult: 500 mg/day
- Child: 1200 mg/day
- Pregnancy and lactation: 1500 mg/day
Absorption of Calcium
- Takes place in the first and second parts of the duodenum
- Requires a carrier protein helped by calcium-dependent ATPase
- Factors affecting absorption:
- Vitamin D (induces synthesis of carrier protein)
- Parathyroid hormone (increases calcium transport)
- Acidity (favors calcium absorption)
- Phytic acid (reduces uptake of calcium)
- Oxalates (reduce absorption)
- Phosphate (precipitates calcium phosphate)
Functions of Calcium
- Activation of enzymes
- Muscle contraction and relaxation
- Transmission of nerve impulses
- Secretion of hormones
- Second messenger (with cyclic AMP)
- Coagulation (factor IV in blood coagulation cascade)
- Myocardium function
- Bone and teeth formation
Calcium in Blood
- Normal level: 8.5-10.5 mg/dl
- Ionized calcium: 5 mg/dl (metabolically active)
Factors Regulating Blood Calcium Level
- Vitamin D (increases calcium absorption and bone formation)
- Parathyroid hormone (increases calcium transport and bone resorption)
- Calcitonin (decreases serum calcium level and bone resorption)
Hypercalcemia
- Blood calcium level > 10.5 mg/dl
- Causes: hyperparathyroidism
- Effects: osteoporosis, bone resorption, and pathological fractures
Hypocalcemia and Tetany
- Serum calcium level < 8 mg/dl (hypocalcemia)
- Serum calcium level < 7.5 mg/dl (tetany, a life-threatening condition)
- Causes: accidental surgical removal of parathyroid glands, vitamin D deficiency, and dietary deficiency of calcium
- Effects: mild tremors, increased neuromuscular irritability, and laryngeal spasm
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Description
Learn about the importance of minerals for human growth and maintenance, including major and minor elements, and their daily requirements.
