Chapter 32, Problem 39A

Summary Introduction

To write:

A brief article about the need for calcium for the skeletal and muscular systems.

Introduction:

Bones serve as the main storage site for calcium. It is necessary for the body to have sufficient amounts of calcium at all times.

Explanation of Solution

For the skeletal system, the calcium forms the major component of the bones. The bones serve as a storage house for calcium. Lack of calcium in case of bones makes them fragile and brittle. The parathyroid hormone (PTH) is responsible for increased calcium secretion if the level of calcium drops in the blood.

For muscles, the entire process of muscular contraction is dependent on calcium. Calcium acts as a trigger and enables contraction by reacting with regulatory proteins, which otherwise prevent the interaction of actin and myosin. Troponin-calcium complex is formed which pulls tropomyosin and exposes the myosin binding sites for ATP attachment.

Therefore, calcium is extremely necessary for both the skeletal system as well as the muscular system as neither can function without calcium.

Conclusion

Calcium is not only necessary for mineralization of bones but also for tooth health, heart rate and blood coagulation. It is a very important mineral for maintaining the strength of bones and teeth.