Concepts of Minerals – Introduction to fundamental concepts of Biological Science including the organization and common characteristics of living matters, cell structures and functions, food production by photosynthesis, harvesting energy, mechanism of cells reproduction, genetics, evolutions, and Human Biology. Introduction to general chemistry including basic concepts about matter, atomic structure, chemical bonds, gases, liquid, and solids, solutions, chemical reactions, acid, bases, and salt;
organic and biochemistry including hydrocarbons and their derivatives, carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, enzymes, vitamins, and minerals, nucleic acids; principles of physics and applications to nursing including gravity and mechanics, pressure, heat and electricity; nuclear chemistry and nuclear physics, effects of radiation on human beings, and protection and disposal. The aim of the course is to acquire knowledge and skills in general biological science, general chemistry and physics.
Concepts of Minerals
In the context of nutrition, a mineral is a chemical element required as an essential nutrient by organisms to perform functions necessary for life. Minerals originate in the earth and cannot be made by living organisms. Plants get minerals from soil. Most of the minerals in a human diet come from eating plants and animals or from drinking water. As a group, minerals are one of the four groups of essential nutrients, the others of which are vitamins, essential fatty acids, and essential amino acids.
The five major minerals in the human body are calcium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, and magnesium. All of the remaining elements in a human body are called “trace elements”. The trace elements that have a specific biochemical function in the human body are iron, cobalt, copper, zinc, manganese, molybdenum, iodine, and selenium.
Most chemical elements that are ingested by organisms are in the form of simple compounds. Plants absorb dissolved elements in soils, which are subsequently ingested by the herbivores that eat them, and the elements move up the food chain. Larger organisms may also consume soil (geophagia) or use mineral resources, such as salt licks, to obtain limited minerals unavailable through other dietary sources.
Definition of Mineral:
More than 50 chemical elements are found in the human body, which are required for growth, repair and regulation of vital body functions are called minerals.
or
Minerals are naturally-occurring inorganic substances with a definite and predictable chemical composition and physical properties.
Distribution of minerals in the body:
For good health mineral is very essential. Mineral forms four percent (4%) of body weight
| Mineral | Percentage in the body |
| Calcium | 2% |
| Phosphorus | 1% |
| Others | 1% |
Classification of Mineral:
The body needs minerals in small amounts to help chemical processes, and to build tissues and fluids. These can be divided into three major groups:
| Major minerals: |
|
| Trace elements: |
|
| Trace contaminants with no known function |
|
Macro and micro minerals:
| Macro minerals | Micro minerals |
|
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Importance of Minerals/Functions of Minerals:
1. Formation of bones and teeth.
2. Maintenance of osmotic pressure of body fluids
3. Maintenance of acids base balance
4. Maintenance of tone of muscles and nerves
5. Some minerals are needed for specific functions like –
- Iron for the formation of Hemoglobin (Hb)
- Sodium for the formation of thyroxin
- Cobalt as the constituent of vitamin B12
- Zinc as the constituent of an enzyme
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