Bio-inorganic chemistry

Course Outline
Understand the scope of bioinorganic chemistry
Periodic table Metals, non metals and transition elements in the body,
Metals of biological importance
Roles of these metals (Fe. Mg, Al, Zn, Ca, etc.) in biological systems.
Formulations
Quantitative determination

Bioinorganic Chemistry
Bioinorganic chemistry is concerned with the roles of inorganic elements in biological
processes.
It focuses upon the function of inorganic substances in living systems, including the
transport, mineralisation of inorganic materials, and the use of inorganics in medicinal
therapy and diagnosis.
These substances can be metal ions (such as K+, ferrous and ferric), composite ions
(e.g. molybdate), coordination compounds (like cisplatin and carbonyltechnetium), or
inorganic molecules such as CO, NO, O3.
Both deficiency and overload/excess of these inorganic elements lead to illness

Biologically Important Elements

Which inorganic elements are important biologically?

99% of human body is comprised of 11 elements
Bulk biological elements: H, C, N, O, P, S, Cl (as PO43-, SO42-, Cl-)
Bulk metal ion nutrients: Na, Mg, K, Ca
Essential elements for a wide range of bacteria/plants/animals
Transition metals: V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Mo
Non-Metals: (B), F, (Si), Se, I, .

Mammals are believed to use only 25 of the known elements.

Eleven non-transition elements that make up 99.9% of the human body

Three transition metals, Fe, Zn and Cu are needed in significant amounts.

Trace quantities of many other transition elements are required to

Other elements are added to the list of elements thought to be essential

(O, C, H, N, Ca, P, S, K, Cl, Na, Mg),

maintain proper physical functioning.

as our knowledge of the chemistry of living systems increases.

Chemical elements essential to life forms can be divided into

the following
(i) Bulk elements: C, H, N, O, P, S
(ii) Macrominerals and ions: Na, K, Mg, Ca, Cl, PO43-, SO42(iii) Trace elements: Fe, Zn, Cu
(iv) Ultratrace elements comprises of
(a)non-metals: F, I, Se, Si, As, B
(b) metals: Mn, Mo, Co, Cr, V, Ni, Cd, Sn, Pb, Li

Essential Inorganic Elements in Adult Diet

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Recommended Daily Allowance (mg)

____________________________________________________________

K
Na
Ca
Mg
Zn
Fe
Mn
Cu

2000 - 5500
1100 - 3300
800 - 1200
300 - 400
15
10 - 20
2.0 - 5.0
1.5 - 3.0

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Recommended Daily Allowance (mg) CONTD

Mo

0.075 - 0.25

Cr

0.05 - 0.2

Co

~ 0.2

Cl
PO43-

3200
800 - 1200

SO42-

10

I
Se
F

0.15
0.05 - 0.07
1.5 - 4.0

Symptoms
of Elemental Deficiency in Humans
__________________________________________________________
Ca

Retarded skeletal growth

Mg

Muscle cramps

Fe

Anemia, immune disorders

Zn

Stunted growth, skin damage, retarded maturation

Cu

Liver disorders, secondary anemia

Mn

Infertility, impaired skeletal growth

Mo

Retarded cellular growth

Co

Pernicious anemia

Ni

Depressed growth, dermatitis

Cr

Diabetes symptoms

Si

Skeletal growth disorders

Dental disorders

Thyroid disorders

Se

Cardiac muscular weakness

As

Impaired growth (in animals)

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Alkali and alkaline metals

The abundant inorganic elements act as ionic electrolytes.
The most important ions are sodium, potassium, calcium,
magnesium, chloride, phosphate, and the organic ion bicarbonate.
Transition metals
The transition metals are usually present as trace elements in
organisms, with zinc and iron being most abundant.

 Other Elements

Many other elements aside from metals are bio-active.

Sulfur and phosphorus are required for all life.
Phosphorus almost exclusively exists as phosphate and its various esters.
Sulfur exists in a variety of oxidation states, ranging from sulfate
(S042-) down to sulfide (S2-). Selenium is a trace element involved in
proteins that are antioxidants

Oxidation states
+7
+6
+5
+4
+3
+2
+1

Ca

Sc

X
Xl
Xl

X
Xl
l
X

Xl
Xl

Xl

Xl

Ti

Cr

Mn

Xl
l

Fe

Co

Ni

Cu

Zn

: common in chemistry
: Less common in chemistry
X : Not available to biology
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Metallobiomolecules
Transport and storage proteins :

Transferrin (Fe)
Ferritin (Fe)
Metallothionein (Zn)

O2 binding/transport:

Myoglobin (Fe)
Hemoglobin (Fe)
Hemerythrin (Fe)
Hemocyanin (Cu)

Enzymes (catalysts)
Hydrolases:

Carbonic anhydrase (Zn)

Carboxypeptidase (Zn)

Oxido-Reductases:

Alcohol dehydrogenase (Zn)

Superoxide dismutase (Cu, Zn, Mn, Ni)
Catalase, Peroxidase (Fe)
Nitrogenase (Fe, Mo)
Cytochrome oxidase (Fe, Cu)
Hydrogenase (Fe, Ni)

Isomerases:

B12 coenzymes (Co)

Aconitase (Fe-S)

Oxygenases:

Cytochrome P450 (Fe)

Nitric Oxide Synthases (Fe)

Electron carriers:
Electron transferases

Cytochromes (Fe)
Iron-sulfur (Fe)
Blue copper proteins (Cu)

Non Proteins
Transport Agents:

Siderophores (Fe)

Hemoglobin & Oxyhemoglobin

Electrolytes in the Body

Salts, Acids and Bases are electrolytes

1. Salts
Ionic compound that contains a cation other than a H+ and an anion other
than a hydroxyl ion (OH-): NaCl
Common salts in the body: NaCl; CaCO3; KCl

2. Acids
Releases H+ in solution
Proton donor
Lowers pH

3. Bases
Releases OH- in solution
Proton acceptors
Raises pH

HCl releases H +

Acids and Bases in the Body

Acids
Hydrochloric Acid (HCl)
digestion

Bases
Act as buffers acid-base
homeostasis
Bicarbonate ion

ELECTROLYTES
Substance when dissolved in solution separates into ions
& is able to carry an electrical current
CATION - positively charged electrolyte
ANION - negatively charged electrolyte
# Cations must = # Anions for homeostatsis to exist in
each fluid compartment
Commonly measured in milliequivalents / liter (mEq/L)

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ELECTROLYTES
Na+: most abundant electrolyte in the body
K+: essential for normal membrane excitability for nerve impulse
Cl-: regulates osmotic pressure and assists in regulating acid-base balance
Ca2+: usually combined with phosphorus to form the mineral salts of bones and
teeth, promotes nerve impulse and muscle contraction/relaxation
Mg2+: plays role in carbohydrate and protein metabolism, storage and use of
intracellular energy and neural transmission. Important in the functioning of the
heart, nerves, and muscles
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SODIUM/CHLORIDE IMBALANCES
Regulated by the kidneys
Influenced by the hormone aldosterone
Na is responsible for water retention and serum osmolarity level
Chloride ion frequently appears with the sodium ion
Normal Na = 135-145 mEq/L
Chloride 95-108 mEq/L
Na and CL are concentrated in ECF

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Chloride Functions
Found in ECF
Changes the serum osmolarity
Goes with Na in retention of water
Assists with regulation of acid-base balance
Cl combines with hydrogen to form hydrochloric acid in the stomach

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Chloride
Maintains serum osmolarity along with Na
Helps to maintain acid/base balance
Combines with other ions for homeostasis; sodium, hydrochloric acid, potassium,
calcium
Closely tied to Na
Decreased level is most commonly due to GI losses

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Sodium Functions
Transmission and conduction of nerve impulses
Responsible for osmolarity of vascular fluids
Regulation of body fluid levels
Sodium shifts into cells and potassium shifts out of the cells (sodium pump)
Assists with regulation of acid-base balance by combining with Cl or HCO3 to
regulate the balance

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Food Sources
High Sodium
Bacon
Corned beef
Ham
Catsup
Potato chips
Pretzels with salt
Pickles
Olives
Soda crackers
Tomato juice
Beef cubes
Dill
Decaffeinated coffee
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Low Sodium
Fruit
Fresh
Frozen
canned

Unsalted grains
Pastas
Oatmeal
Popcorn
Shredded wheat

Fresh meats

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MAJOR ELECTROLYTE IMBALANCES

Hyponatremia (sodium deficit < 130mEq/L)

Hypernatremia (sodium excess >145mEq/L)
Hypokalemia (potassium deficit <3.5mEq/L)
Hyperkalemia (potassium excess >5.1mEq/L)
Chloride imbalance (<98mEq/L or >107mEq/L)
Magnesium imbalance (<1.5mEq/L or >2.5mEq/L)

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Hyponatremia
Excessive sodium loss or H2O gain
CAUSES

Prolonged diuretic therapy

Excessive diaphoresis
Insufficient Na intake
GI losses suctioning, laxatives, vomiting
Administration of hypotonic fluids
Compulsive water drinking
Labor induction with oxytocin
Cystic fibrosis
alcoholism

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