PHOSPHORUS
The total body content of phosphorus is 700 grams. It is present in every cell and in blood. It occurs as both organic and inorganic phosphorus.
Sources : Milk, cheese, egg,cereals and vegetables
Functions :
It is essential for the growth of bones and teeth
It is required for the synthesis of nucleic acids, phospholipids and phosphoproteins
It forms high energy compounds like ATP
It has a buffering action in blood and urine
Deficiency : Rickets and osteomalacia occur in deficiency of phosphorus, calcium and vitamin D.
Requirement : 1 to 1.5 grams per day
SODIUM
Sodium is the principal cation of extracellular fluid. It is present in the body as Nacl and NAHCO3.
Functions :
It helps in maintaining acid -base balance
It maintains the osmotic pressure of body fluids
It preserves the normal irritability of muscles
With other irons, it maintains the permeability of cells
Sources : The main source is salt used in cooking
Hypernatremia : It is an increase in plasma sodium concentration. It occurs in -
Dehydration as occurs in severe sweating
Diabetes insipidus
Excessive intravenous administration of saline
Administration of steroid hormones
Hypornatremia : It is decrease in plasma sodium level. It occurs in -
Diuretic medication
Kidney diseases
Severe vomiting and diarrhoea
Severe burns
POTASSIUM
It is the major intracellular cation. It is widely distributed in body tissues and body fluids. A high concentration is present in nerve tissue, cells, muscles and blood.
Functions :
It helps in maintaining acid -base balance
It influences muscular activity
It plays an important role in cardiac function
It is essential for conduction of nerve impulses
Enzymes like pyruvic kinase require K+ as a co -factor
Hyperkalemia : It is an increase in serum potassium level. It occurs in -
Renal failure
Sever dehydration
Addison’s disease
Excess administration of intravenous potassium
They symptoms of hyperkalemia are bradycardia, depression, mental confusion and muscle weakness.
Hypokalemia : It is a decrease in serum potassium level. It occurs in -
Cushing’s syndrome
Severe vomiting and diarrhoea
Prolonged use of diuretics
Familial periodic paralysis
Symptoms of hypokalemia are tachycardia, muscle weakness, irritability and paralysis.
CHLORINE
It is present in the body as chloride ion. It has wide distribution in the body. Highest concentration is present in CSF.
Functions :
Maintains acid -base balance
Necessary for HCl secretion in gastric juice
Deficiency : Deficiency of chloride occurs in -
Profuse vomiting caused by pyloric obstruction
Loss of chlorides leads to hypochloremic alkalosis
Diarrhoea and excessive sweating
Fibrocystic disease of pancreas
Average
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