A cell is not only a structural unit of everythingliving, a peculiar brick of life, but also a small biochemical factory, on which every second of the time there are various transformations and reactions. So the structural components necessary for life and growth of the organism are formed: the mineral substances of the cell, water and organic compounds. Therefore it is very important to know what will happen if one of them is not enough. What role do different compounds play in the life of these tiny, not visible to the naked eye, structural particles of living systems? We will try to understand this issue.
All compounds that make up the cell mass,forming its structural parts and responsible for its development, nutrition, breathing, plastic and energy exchange, normal development, can be divided into three large groups. These are categories such as:
Often the latter is referred to the second groupinorganic components. In addition to these categories, you can identify those that are composed of their combination. These are the metals that make up the molecule of organic compounds (for example, a hemoglobin molecule containing an iron ion is protein by nature).
If we talk specifically about mineral orinorganic compounds that make up each living organism, they are also not the same in nature, and in quantitative content. Therefore they have their own classification.
All inorganic compounds can be divided into three groups.
You can also highlight severalelements that are organogenic, that is, they form the basis of organic compounds, of which the body of a living organism is built. These are such elements as:
They build molecules of proteins (the basis of life),carbohydrates, lipids and other substances. However, for normal functioning of the body, mineral substances also respond. The chemical composition of the cell is calculated by dozens of elements from the periodic table, which are the key to successful life activity. Only about 12 of all atoms do not play a role at all or it is negligible and has not been studied.
Particularly important are certain salts that must beEnter the body with food every day in sufficient quantities so that different diseases do not develop. For plants, this is, for example, sodium nitrate, potassium nitrate. For humans and animals, these are calcium salts, table salt as a source of sodium and chlorine, etc.
The mineral substances of the cell combine with waterin the general group of inorganic substances, so you can not say about its meaning. What role does it play in the body of living beings? Great. At the beginning of the article, we compared the cell to the biochemical plant. So, all the second-minute transformations of substances are carried out exactly in the water environment. It is a universal solvent and medium for chemical interactions, synthesis and decay processes.
In addition, water is part of the internal environment:
Dehydration means death for all organismswithout exception. Water is the environment of life for a huge number of diverse representatives of flora and fauna. Therefore, it is difficult to overestimate the significance of this inorganic substance, it is truly unlimited.
The mineral substances of the cell for its normalworks are of great importance. First of all, this concerns just the macronutrients. The role of each of them has been thoroughly studied and established long ago. What atoms make up a group of macroelements, we have already listed above, so we will not repeat. Let us briefly denote the role of the principal ones.
Of course, if we consider each element in more detail, we can say a lot about its excess in the body, and about the lack. After all, both are harmful and leads to diseases of various kinds.
The role of minerals in the cell, whichbelong to the group of trace elements, is also great. Despite the fact that their content is very small in the cage, without them it will not be able to function properly for a long time. The most important of all the above atoms in this category are as follows:
The normal level of iodine is necessary to maintainthe thyroid gland and the production of hormones. Fluoride is needed by the body to strengthen the enamel of the teeth, and plants - to maintain the elasticity and rich color of the leaves.
Zinc and copper are elements that make up many enzymes and vitamins. They are important participants in the processes of synthesis and plastic metabolism.
Selenium - an active participant in regulatory processes, is necessary for the endocrine system to work. Cobalt is also called vitamin B12, and all compounds of this group are extremely important for the immune system.
Therefore, the functions of mineral substances in the cell,which are formed by microelements are no less than those that perform macrostructures. Therefore, it is important to consume both in sufficient quantities.
The mineral substances of cells that are formedultramicroelements, play not so significant a role, as the aforementioned. However, their long-term deficiency can lead to the development of very unpleasant, and sometimes very dangerous consequences for health.
For example, selenium is also referred to this group.Its prolonged shortage provokes the development of cancerous tumors. Therefore, it is considered indispensable. But gold and silver are metals that have a negative effect on bacteria, destroying them. Therefore, inside the cells play a bactericidal role.
However, in general, it should be said that the functions of ultramicroelements have not yet been fully disclosed by scientists, and their significance remains unclear.
Many metals are part of the organicmolecules. For example, magnesium is the coenzyme of chlorophyll necessary for plant photosynthesis. Iron is part of the hemoglobin molecule, without which it is impossible to breathe. Copper, zinc, manganese and others are parts of molecules of enzymes, vitamins and hormones.
Obviously, all these compounds are important for the body. They can not be attributed completely to mineral fertilizers, but in part it does follow.
To generalize what we have been told induring the article, we will compile a general table in which we will reflect what mineral compounds are and why they are needed. You can use it when explaining this topic to students, for example, in the fifth grade.
| Group of minerals | Examples of atoms | Importance for the body |
| Compounds formed by macroelements | C, H, P, O, S, N, Ca, K, Mg, CL, Na, Fe, and others | Participate in all processes of synthesis and decay, ensure the normal operation of the whole organism |
| Substances formed by microelements | Cu, Zn, I, Mn, Co and others | Provide the work of muscles, membrane potentials, are part of vitamins, enzymes, hormones |
| Ultra-microelements in the body | The most important - selenium, as well as mercury, gold, platinum and others | Participate in regulatory processes |
Thus, the mineral substances of the cell and their significance will be assimilated by the students in the course of the basic stage of training.
When we say that the role of mineral substances in a cell is important, we must give examples that prove this fact.
We list some diseases that develop when there is a shortage or excess of any of the compounds indicated in the course of the article.
Of course, this is not a complete list. Therefore, care must be taken to ensure that the daily diet is correct and balanced.
