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neutrality of these cells. It is also important for maintaining cell membrane potential
and transporting matter at the cellular level. Transmembrane exchange of chlorine
with sodium and potassium in the cell maintains a neutral electrical charge and fluid
balance needed to maintain a certain pH and osmolarity within the cell. The same
role of chlorine is required for normal muscle function, contractions, and conduction of a nerve signal.
Cobalt (Co, lat. Cobaltum) Cobalt is very widespread in nature and makes up
about 0.001% of the Earth’s crust. Although it is a microelement, it causes various
disorders in larger quantities. In the 1960s, some breweries used cobalt to regulate
sparkling beer. People who consumed such beer to a greater extent experienced
nausea, vomiting, and heart problems (cardiomyopathy), which were initially attributed to drunkenness. Cobalt is also often found in polluted air. It is considered an
essential microelement and is found in the body within vitamin B 12 , making it an
active part. Apart from its role in this vitamin, cobalt participates in only a few
enzymes, which is why some authors do not classify it as an essential
microelement.
Magnesium (Mg, Mg
2+
; lat. Magnesia) Magnesium is one of the most abundant
minerals in soft tissues. The average adult contains 20–28 g of magnesium, of which
about 60% is found in bones. The rest is in the muscles, soft tissue, and body fluids.
Magnesium can be found in high concentrations inside cells, especially the heart
and brain.
Manganese (Mn, lat. Mangnes-magnet) Manganese is an essential trace element
for humans. The average adult organism contains 12–20 mg, and it is mostly found
in the bones, liver, kidneys, and heart.
Molybdenum (Mo, lat. Molybdaenum) Although molybdenum has been known
since ancient times, it has often been replaced with lead. It was first defined in 1778
and produced in 1893. Just a few decades later, serious research on its significance
for man began. Apart from humans, molybdenum is also important for the entire
ecosystem, as it participates as a cofactor of numerous enzymes involved in the
biogeochemical cycles of carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur in nature. Molybdenum is
found in the body in very small quantities, but its role is important in many biological processes that include the development of the nervous system, the removal of
waste substances from the body through the kidneys, and the production of energy
in cells.
Sodium (Na, Na
+
; lat. Natrium) Although sodium is a metal in its free form, as
such it is not found in nature but is found in compounds or in ionic form. Sodium
ions are needed in small amounts in plants and are much more abundant in humans
because of their important role.
V. I. Petropulos and B. Balabanova
neutrality of these cells. It is also important for maintaining cell membrane potential
and transporting matter at the cellular level. Transmembrane exchange of chlorine
with sodium and potassium in the cell maintains a neutral electrical charge and fluid
balance needed to maintain a certain pH and osmolarity within the cell. The same
role of chlorine is required for normal muscle function, contractions, and conduction of a nerve signal.
Cobalt (Co, lat. Cobaltum) Cobalt is very widespread in nature and makes up
about 0.001% of the Earth’s crust. Although it is a microelement, it causes various
disorders in larger quantities. In the 1960s, some breweries used cobalt to regulate
sparkling beer. People who consumed such beer to a greater extent experienced
nausea, vomiting, and heart problems (cardiomyopathy), which were initially attributed to drunkenness. Cobalt is also often found in polluted air. It is considered an
essential microelement and is found in the body within vitamin B 12 , making it an
active part. Apart from its role in this vitamin, cobalt participates in only a few
enzymes, which is why some authors do not classify it as an essential
microelement.
Magnesium (Mg, Mg
2+
; lat. Magnesia) Magnesium is one of the most abundant
minerals in soft tissues. The average adult contains 20–28 g of magnesium, of which
about 60% is found in bones. The rest is in the muscles, soft tissue, and body fluids.
Magnesium can be found in high concentrations inside cells, especially the heart
and brain.
Manganese (Mn, lat. Mangnes-magnet) Manganese is an essential trace element
for humans. The average adult organism contains 12–20 mg, and it is mostly found
in the bones, liver, kidneys, and heart.
Molybdenum (Mo, lat. Molybdaenum) Although molybdenum has been known
since ancient times, it has often been replaced with lead. It was first defined in 1778
and produced in 1893. Just a few decades later, serious research on its significance
for man began. Apart from humans, molybdenum is also important for the entire
ecosystem, as it participates as a cofactor of numerous enzymes involved in the
biogeochemical cycles of carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur in nature. Molybdenum is
found in the body in very small quantities, but its role is important in many biological processes that include the development of the nervous system, the removal of
waste substances from the body through the kidneys, and the production of energy
in cells.
Sodium (Na, Na
+
; lat. Natrium) Although sodium is a metal in its free form, as
such it is not found in nature but is found in compounds or in ionic form. Sodium
ions are needed in small amounts in plants and are much more abundant in humans
because of their important role.
V. I. Petropulos and B. Balabanova