t
   t * Selenium sulfide used to treat seborrheic dermatitis and Tinea versicolor.
ri
   h a

   M
  e
   t * MoS 2-
 (tetrathiomolybdate) is used as “anti copper agent” in Wilson’s disease (excess of copper 
l
   i
fo
4
  s accumulation in liver - a genetic disorder). It is also used as an antitumor agent.

   N
  s

  O
r
   ’
o
  r

  A
th
  o

  C
   h
e
   t

 .
r
  u Inorganic elements and their biological functions

   H
  a
to

   Y
  e Bulk metals - Na, K, Mg, Ca
p
   h

   D
   t
ic

   R
s
  m Trace metals - Zn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Mo, V - metals with low conc. are used for biocatalysis.
a

   R
  o

   T
re
  r
   f a
   k * Na+,K+:

  A    S
v
  o As electrolytes, maintain the concentration gradient (osmotic balance). a

   I
  o
il

   V
   b Helps in active and passive transport.
a

 
  s
b
   i
le

   M
   h Charge carriers.

  A
   t
fr
   d
o
* Mg : Present in chlorophyll.

   Y    E
2+
  e
  s
m
  a In energy production (ATP --->ADP);

   T
   h
h

   H
  c
tt
  r

   I
Activation of enzymes.
p
  u
:/

  C
  p
/w
Information carrier;

   D
  o

   I
   h
w
  w Present in endo and exo skeletons.

  A
w

 .    D
  e
.a
  s * Ca2+: Charge carrier.
  o
d

   V   A
   h
ic
   t In muscle and nerve functions - cell signalling. It acts as second messenger and sentinel at hem

 .
  o
   t
  e synapse.

   W
   l
is
   b Present in teeth as Ca (PO ) (OH) (hydroxylapatite), and CaCO ,
tr
  a
   l
   i 5 4 3 3
y.
  a

   W
  v Present in endo and exo skeletons; oc
  a
m
  e In activation of enzymes;
  r

   W
  a In blood coagulation.
  s
  e VIV/V, MoIV/VI, W IV/VI, Mn II/III/IV, Fe II/III, Ni I/II/III, Cu I/II
   t
  a * : electron transfer 
   d
  p * Fe and Cu: Transport and storage of dioxygen.
  u
   d Fe3O4 is used to store iron, and, as it is magnetic, is used by ‘magnetotactic’ bacteria to
  n
  a sense the direction of the Earth’s magnetic field.
  s
  m * Co: Cobalamine, e.g. Vitamin-B
  u
  r 12
  o
   f * Mn: In photosynthesis, generation of dioxygen by splitting water. Mn is part of OEC (Oxygen
   h Evolving Complex) in PS II.
  g
u