Chapter 11: Water and the Major

(Macro) Minerals
Chemistry of Water
The first cell(s) evolved in water
All living things are 7090% water
Water is a polar molecule
Water molecules are hydrogen-bonded to one
another
Water is liquid at temperatures typical of
the Earths surface due to hydrogen bonding.
Hydrogen Bonding
Polarity within
a water
molecule
causes the
hydrogen
atoms in one
molecule to be
attracted to the
oxygen atoms
in other water
molecules.

Weak
individually
but quite
strong
collectively.
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H
H
O
b. Hydrogen bonding between water molecules
hydrogen
bond
Properties of Water
Water has a high heat capacity.
A calorie is the amount of heat energy needed to
raise the temperature of 1g of water 1

C.
The many hydrogen bonds that link water molecules
help water absorb heat without a great change in
temperature.
Because the temperature of water rises and falls
slowly, organisms are better able to maintain their
normal internal temperatures and are protected from
rapid temperature changes.
Properties of Water
Water has a high heat of vaporization.
Converting 1 g of the hottest water to a gas requires an
input of 540 calories of heat energy.
Gives animals in a hot environment an efficient way to
release excess body heat.
Also helps moderate temperatures along coasts.
Properties of Water
Water is a solvent
Due to its polarity, water facilitates chemical
reactions, both outside and within living systems.
A solution contains dissolved substances, which are
then called solutes.
Hydrophilic molecules attract water.
Hydrophobic molecules do not attract water.
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H
H
H H
H H H
H
H H
H

+
H H
O
O
O O
O O

Cl

Na
+
Properties of Water
Water molecules are cohesive and adhesive.
Water molecules cling together because of
hydrogen bonding (cohesion).

Waters positive and negative poles allow it to
adhere to polar surfaces (adhesion).

Water is an excellent transport system, both
outside and within living organisms.
Properties of Water
Frozen water (ice) is less dense than liquid water.
As liquid water cools, the molecules come closer together.

Water expands as it freezes.

Ice floats.

Bodies of water freeze from the top down.
liquid water ice lattice
Properties of Water
Water has a high surface tension
The stronger the force between molecules in a
liquid, the greater the surface tension.
This allows some insects to walk on the surface
of a pond or lake.

The memory effect of water?
Sodium-Potassium Pump
Are You Drinking Enough?
Recommend 1 ml per 1kcal

The Thirst Mechanism


Approximate amounts of various minerals in average
human body
Bioavailability of Minerals
Not all ingested minerals can be
absorbed
Presence of binders (oxalic acid) and
dietary fiber (phytic acid)
Animal products are better absorbed
Mineral/mineral competition
Presence of vitamins (vitamins C & D)
Food Sources of Minerals
Plant sources magnesium and manganese are
generally more plentiful than animal food products
Animal sources dairy products are rich sources
of bioavailable calcium, while meat and related
foods are rich sources of bioavailable iron and
zinc
Food production - enrichment process for grains
adds only iron
Calcium Regulation
Functions of Calcium
Bone development and maintenance
Osteoblasts mature to osteocytes to form the support structure of the bones
(further matures to hydroxyapatite)
Osteoclasts continually break down in area where calcium is not needed
(stimulated by pararthyroid hormone)

Blood clot
Needed to convert prothrombin to thrombin in the formation of fibrin

Nerve impulses transmission
Impulse stimulates influx of calcium into nerve leading the release of
neurotransmitters which carry impulse across synapse to target celll

Muscle contraction

Cell metabolism
Binds with calmodulin
Activates various enzymes
Calcium and Blood Clotting
Formation of fibrin
Transmission of Nerve Impulses
Muscle Contraction
When skeletal muscles is stimulated by a nerve
impulse from the brain, calcium ions are release
from intracellular stores within the muscle cells

The resulting increase of calcium ion in a muscle
cell is one factor , along with ATP, that permits
contractile proteins to slide along each other and
resulting in muscle contraction; then to allow for
subsequent relaxation, the calcium ions are
returned to intracellular stores, and the contractile
proteins slide apart

Calmodulin System
When calcium enters a cell and
binds to the protein calmodulin, the
resulting protein-calcium complex
can regulate the activity of various
enzymes, including one that breaks
down glycogen to many units of
glucose-1-phosphate
Calcium Deficiency
The adequate intake set for calcium for adults ranges from
1000 to 1200 mg/day
The calcium-deficiency diseases:
Osteoporosis
A pediatric disease with geriatric consequences
Leads to ~1.5 million fractures / year
Factors to increase bone mass
Osteopenia
Failure to maintain adequate bone mass in the body
throughout life
Can be caused by the vitamin D deficiency