Every organism, from small bacteria to mammals, is made up of chemical compounds. Almost the entire periodic table can be found in our body, which indicates the importance of many chemical elements. Here we will talk about the importance of phosphorus and nitrogen.
The biological role of phosphorus and its compounds
All elements play an important role in maintaining the body's homeostasis. The same applies to phosphorus, which is far from the last role. What is the biological role of phosphorus and where is it found most often?
In nature, phosphorus is found only in the form of compounds. The daily norm of the element is 1600 mg for an ordinary average person. Phosphorus is part of molecules such as ATP (adenosine triphosphate), nucleic acids (DNA and RNA), membrane phospholipids.
The biological role of phosphorus in the body is related to the maintenance of bone structure. Hydroxyapatite, which includes a phosphoric acid residue, is an important inorganic component of bone tissue. Also, this substance contains calcium ions, which supportskeletal strength.
Phospholipids of the membrane are the basis of the entire outer complex. The bilipid layer dictates such properties of the CPM as plasticity, self-closure, and transport of substances. Phospholipids are responsible for some types of passive transport across the membrane. Also in the thickness of the CMP are integral and semi-integral proteins.
Nucleic acids are the basis of genetic information. These molecules consist of the simplest nucleotide monomers, which include phosphorus residues. They play an important role in the formation of phosphodiester bonds of DNA and RNA molecules, without which the primary structure would be impossible.
The biological role of phosphorus is associated with the storage of energy in the cell. This is associated with the synthesis of ATP, the molecule of which contains three residues of phosphoric acid. They are interconnected through macroergic bonds, in which energy is stored. ATP is synthesized in mitochondria in animals, as well as in plant chloroplasts, which makes these organelles the energy stations of the cell. If one residue of phosphoric acid is cleaved off, the molecule is called ADP (adenosine diphosphate), and if two residues are cleaved off, then ATP is converted to AMP (adenosine monophosphate).
The biological role of phosphorus is associated with the work of the nervous and muscular systems. This chemical element is an important component of some enzymes that are necessary for the reactions in the cell.
Deficiency and excess of phosphorus
ContentPhosphorus in the body must be constant and kept within a certain range. If there is an increase in the concentration of the element, some diseases develop. Among them are kidney disease, Addison's disease, diabetes mellitus, acromegaly.
Decrease in the amount of phosphorus leads to the development of high activity of the parathyroid glands, as well as a number of other diseases.
The biological role of phosphorus is to maintain a constant blood environment. The buffer system must contain phosphoric acid residues, so the concentration of the element must be maintained regardless of the circumstances. It has been proven that with a lack of phosphorus, the body takes it from the cells of soft tissues. At the same time, its concentration in the blood is always constant or varies in a narrow range. And only with the loss of 40% of all phosphorus in the body, the blood loses only 10% of its total mass.
Nitrogen and its functions in the body
The main role of nitrogen is the construction of proteins and amino acids. These molecules must contain an amino group, which includes this chemical element. Proteins perform a huge number of functions. For example, they are part of cell membranes and organelles, help transport molecules of other substances, perform a signal function, catalyze all biochemical reactions in the form of enzymes.
Amino acids are the monomers of proteins. In the free state, they can also perform some functions. Also, amino acids are precursors of hormones such as adrenaline, norepinephrine, triiodothyronine andthyroxine.
Nitrogen has a great impact on the functioning of the cardiovascular system. It maintains the elasticity of blood vessels, blood pressure. Nitric oxide NO is one of the neurotransmitters in the axons of the cells of the nervous system.
Conclusion
The biological role of nitrogen and phosphorus is to maintain many vital body processes. These elements form important organic molecules such as proteins, nucleic acids, or certain groups of lipids. If nitrogen regulates hemodynamics, then phosphorus is responsible for energy synthesis and is a structural element of bone tissue.
