The biological role of phosphorus and nitrogen in the body

Any organism, beginning with small bacteria and ending with mammals, consists of chemical compounds. In our body, you can find almost the entire periodic table, which indicates the importance of many chemical elements. Here we will talk about the importance of phosphorus and nitrogen.

The biological role of phosphorus and its compounds

All elements play an important role in maintaining the body's homeostasis. The same goes for phosphorus, which is not the last role. What is the biological role of phosphorus and where does it occur most often?

In nature, phosphorus is found only in the form of compounds. The daily norm of the element is 1600 mg for a typical average person. Phosphorus is a part of such molecules as ATP (adenosine triphosphate), nucleic acids (DNA and RNA), phospholipids of the membrane.

The biological role of phosphorus in the body is associated with maintaining the structure of the bone. Hydroxyapatite, which contains a phosphoric acid residue, is an important inorganic component of bone tissue. Also, this substance contains calcium ions, which support the strength of the skeleton.

Phospholipids of the membrane are the basis of the entire outer complex. The bilipid layer dictates such properties of the MCP as plasticity, self-closure, transport of substances. Phospholipids are responsible for some types of passive transport through the membrane. Also in the thickness of the CPM are integral and semi-integral proteins.

Nucleic acids are the basis of genetic information. These molecules consist of the simplest monomers of nucleotides, which include phosphorus residues. They play an important role in the formation of phosphodiester bonds of DNA and RNA molecules, without which a primary structure would be impossible.

The biological role of phosphorus is associated with the storage of energy in the cell. This involves the synthesis of ATP, the molecule of which contains three residues of phosphoric acid. They are interconnected by means of macroergic bonds, in which energy is stored. ATP is synthesized in mitochondria in animals, as well as in chloroplasts of plants, which makes the organelles given by the cell's power stations. If one residue of phosphoric acid is cleaved, the molecule is called ADP (adenosine diphosphate), and if two residues are cleaved, then ATP is converted to AMP (adenosine monophosphate).

The biological role of phosphorus is associated with the work of the nervous and muscular systems. This chemical element is an important component of some enzymes, which are necessary for the course of reactions in the cell.

Lack and excess of phosphorus

The phosphorus content in the body should be constant and keep within a certain range. If there is an increase in the concentration of the element, some diseases develop. Among them, kidney disease, addison's disease, diabetes, acromegaly.

Reducing the amount of phosphorus leads to the development of high parathyroid activity, as well as a number of other diseases.

The biological role of phosphorus is also in maintaining a constant blood environment . The buffer system must contain residues of phosphoric acid, so the concentration of the element should be maintained regardless of the circumstances. It is proved that in the absence of phosphorus the body takes it from the cells of soft tissues. At the same time, its concentration in the blood is always constant or varies in a narrow range. And only with the loss of 40% of all phosphorus in the body, the blood loses only 10% of its total mass.

Nitrogen and its functions in the body

The main role of nitrogen - the construction of proteins and amino acids. These molecules should contain an amino group, which includes this chemical element. Proteins perform a huge number of functions. For example, they are part of cell and organelle membranes, help transport molecules of other substances, perform a signal function, catalyze all biochemical reactions in the form of enzymes.

Amino acids are monomers of proteins. In the free state, they can also perform some functions. Also amino acids are the precursors of such hormones as adrenaline, noradrenaline, triiodothyronine and thyroxine.

Nitrogen has a great influence on the functioning of the cardiovascular system. It supports the elasticity of blood vessels, blood pressure. Nitric oxide NO is one of the neurotransmitters in the axons of the cells of the nervous system.

Conclusion

The biological role of nitrogen and phosphorus is to maintain many vital processes of the body. These elements form important organic molecules, such as proteins, nucleic acids or certain groups of lipids. If nitrogen regulates hemodynamics, then phosphorus is responsible for the synthesis of energy and is a structural element of bone tissue.