Minerals

Harliansyah, Ph.D

Dept Biochemistry FK-YARSI

THE CATIONS

SODIUM
POTASSIUM
CALCIUM
MAGNESIUM

SODIUM
The MOST ABUNDANT cation in the ECF
Normal range is 135-145 mEq/L
Major contributor of plasma osmolarity
FUNCTIONS
1. participates in the Na-K pump
2. assists in maintaining blood volume
3. assists in nerve transmission and muscle
contraction
Aldosterone increases sodium retention
ANF increases sodium excretion

POTASSIUM
MOST ABUNDANT cation in the ICF
Normal range is 3.5-5.0 mEq/L
Major electrolyte maintaining ICVF balance
FUNCTIONS
1. maintains ICF Osmolality
2. nerve conduction and muscle contraction
3. metabolism of carbohydrates, fats and proteins
Aldosterone promotes renal excretion of K+
Acidosis promotes exchange of K+ for H+
in the cell

CALCIUM
Majority of calcium is in the bones and teeth
Normal serum range 8.5-10 mg/dL
FUNCTIONS
1. formation and mineralization of bones/teeth
2. muscular contraction and relaxation
3. cardiac function
4. blood clotting
5. enzyme activation

CALCIUM
Regulation:
GIT absorbs Ca+2 in the intestine with the help of
Vit. D
Kidney Ca+2 is filtered in the glomerulus and
reabsorbed
in the tubules
PTH increases Ca+2 by bone resorption, Ca+2
retention and activation of Vitamin D
Calcitonin released when Ca+2 is high, it decreases
Ca+ by excretion in the kidney

MAGNESIUM
Second to K+ in the ICF
Normal range is 1.3-2.1 mEq/L
FUNCTIONS
1. intracellular production and utilization of ATP
2. protein and DNA synthesis
3. neuromuscular irritability

THE ANIONS
CHLORIDE
PHOSPHATES
BICARBONATES

CHLORIDE
The MAJOR Anion in the ECF
Normal range is 95-108 mEq/L
FUNCTIONS
1. major component of gastric juice aside from H+
2. together with Na+, regulates plasma osmolality
3. participates in the chloride shift
4. acts as chemical buffer

PHOSPHATES
The MAJOR Anion in the ICF
Normal range is 2.5-4.5 mg/L
FUNCTIONS
1. component of bones
2. needed to generate ATP
3. components of DNA and RNA
PTH decreases PO4 in blood by renal excretion
Calcitonin increases renal excretion of PO4

BICARBONATES
Present both in ICF and ECF
Normal range- 22-26 mEq/L
FUNCTION
1. regulates acid-base balance
2. component of the bicarbonate-carbonic acid
buffer system