ROLE OF ALKALI

AND ALKALINE
EARTH METALS IN
BIOLOGICAL
Presented by
SYSTEMS Ann Mary Varghese
III B.Sc. Chemistry
 INTRODUCTION
Sodium, Potassium, Magnesium and Calcium are four of the most
important constituents of living systems. Alkali and alkaline earth
metal cations also participate in the stabilization of cellmembrane,
enzyme polynucleotide confirmations via electrostatic interactions
and osmotic effects. Mg2+ and Ca2+ ions are responsible for the
transmission of electrical impulses along the nerve fibre and for
the contraction of muscles.
 CALCIUM
Ca2+ ions are central to a complex intracellular messenger
system that is mediating a wide range of biological process such
as bond formation, muscle contraction, blood clotting, secretion.
Several extracellular enzymes have one or more Ca2+ ions
integral parts of their structure. Maintenance of low calcium ion
concentration in the intracellular fluid is carried out by two
biochemical processes known as calcium pumps.
MAGNESIUM
Magnesium is a biologically essential element with the average
human requiring almost 0.5g/day. It appears in chlorophyll
leafy green vegetables are an excellent source of Mg 2+. It also
helps to maintain the conformation of nucleic acids and stability
of ribosome. Deficiency of Mg causes convulsions and excess
causes anaesthetic feeling.
 SODIUM-POTASSIUM PUMP
• Sodium Potassium pump is present in the cell membranes of the animal cell
which helps in the movement of Na+ and K+ ions.
• It is a protein pump that transports Na+ ions out of the cell and K+ ions into the
cell.
• It helps to maintain lower concentration of Na+ ions and higher concentration of
K+ ions within the cell and stabilize cell potential.
• It utilizes energy derived from ATP . So it is called as Sodium Potassium-ATPase.
• It helps to control heart contractions and to maintain blood pressure and
also in kidney functioning by maintaining sodium and potassium ions.
• If the pump stops working, Na+ accumulates within the the cell and
intracellular K+ falls. This causes depolarization of the resting membrane
potential.
• The pump is electrogenic in nature. By pumping more positive changes
out of the cell than into the cell, the pump activity creates a negative
potential within the cell.
Thank you