A Periodic Look at Elements

It’s National Chemistry Week! To celebrate, we’re looking back at a few recent blog posts highlighting elements important for human health and scientific research. Check out the posts and tell us what your favorite element is in the comments section! Credit: Adapted from Compound Interest. CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. Got Calcium? Calcium is the most abundant mineral in our bodies. It’s essential for lots of important functions—including keeping bones strong and allowing muscles to move. Even clicking on this post to learn more about its many roles requires calcium! Credit: Adapted from Compound Interest. CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. Copper Keeps Us Going Copper plays a crucial role in keeping our bodies functioning. It’s a cofactor to many enzymes, called cuproenzymes, that catalyze a wide range of important reactions like making connective tissue, red blood cells, neurotransmitters, skin pigment, and more! And in some mollusks and other organisms, it’s responsible for the blue color of their blood. Credit: Adapted from Compound Interest. CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. Manganese: The Magical Element? Manganese is an important element that serves as a cofactor for enzymes involved in metabolism, antioxidation, and other processes in our bodies. It’s aptly named after the Greek word for magic, and some mysteries surrounding its role in the body still exist today. Credit: Adapted from Compound Interest. CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. Pump Up the Potas...
Source: Biomedical Beat Blog - National Institute of General Medical Sciences - Category: Research Authors: Tags: Chemistry, Biochemistry and Pharmacology Element Source Type: blogs