Calcium in the Human Body

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Abundance:

  • Calcium is the most abundant metal in the human body.

  • It is the fifth-most abundant element overall in the body (after oxygen, carbon, hydrogen, and nitrogen).

  • An average adult has about 1–1.2 kg (2.2–2.6 lbs) of calcium.

  • 99% of this calcium is stored in the bones and teeth.

Method of Administration

  • Primary Route: Intravenous (IV) infusion
    This method provides high systemic absorption and rapid onset of action, allowing the compound to act quickly at the cellular level.

  • Alternative Route: Oral administration
    (Less effective compared to IV delivery.)

Importance of Calcium:

1. Bone and Teeth Health:

  • Major structural component of bones and teeth.

  • Combined with phosphate to form hydroxyapatite, which gives bones their strength and rigidity.

  • Supports bone remodeling and density throughout life.

2. Muscle Contraction:

  • Essential for contraction of all muscle types (skeletal, cardiac, smooth).

  • Calcium ions trigger interaction between actin and myosin in muscle fibers.

3. Nervous System Function:

  • Neurotransmitter release at synapses depends on calcium influx.

  • Critical for normal nerve signal transmission.

4. Blood Clotting:

  • Required for several steps in the coagulation cascade.

  • Helps convert prothrombin to thrombin during clot formation.

5. Enzyme Activation:

  • Acts as a cofactor for many enzymes.

  • Participates in metabolic and cellular signaling pathways.

6. Signal Transduction:

  • Functions as a second messenger in cellular processes.

  • Regulates hormone responses, cell growth, and apoptosis (cell death).

7. Membrane Potential and Electrical Signaling:

  • Maintains potential difference across excitable membranes (e.g., neurons, muscle cells).

  • Works with other ions (like sodium and potassium) for electrical signaling.

8. Fertilization:

  • Triggers key changes in the egg after sperm entry, enabling development.