Any organism, from small bacteria to 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 talk about the meaning 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 applies to phosphorus, which is assigned not the last role. What is the biological role of phosphorus and where is it most often found?
In nature, phosphorus is found only in the form of compounds. The daily norm of the element is 1600 mg for an ordinary average person. Phosphorus is a part of such molecules as ATP (adenosine triphosphate), nucleic acids (DNA and RNA), and membrane phospholipids.
The biological role of phosphorus in the body is associated with maintaining the structure of the bone. Hydroxyapatite, which contains the remainder of phosphoric acid, is an important inorganic component of bone tissue. This substance also contains calcium ions, which support the strength of the skeleton.
Membrane phospholipids are the basis of the entire external complex. The bilipid layer dictates such properties of the CPM as plasticity, self-closure, and 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 simple nucleotide monomers, which include phosphorus residues. They play a crucial role in the formation of phosphodiester bonds of DNA and RNA molecules, without which the primary structure would be impossible.
The biological role of phosphorus is associated with energy storage in the cell. Associated with this is the synthesis of ATP, the molecule of which contains three phosphoric acid residues. They are interconnected through macroergic bonds in which energy is stored. ATP is synthesized in mitochondria in animals, as well as in plant chloroplasts, which makes these organelles the energy stations of the cell. 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 that are necessary for reactions in the cell.
Lack and excess of phosphorus
The phosphorus content in the body should be constant and kept in a certain range. If an increase in the concentration of an element occurs, some diseases develop. Among them are kidney diseases, Addison's disease, diabetes mellitus, acromegaly.
A decrease in the amount of phosphorus leads to the development of a high activity of the parathyroid glands, as well as a number of other diseases.
The biological role of phosphorus is to maintain a constant blood environment. The buffer system must contain residues of phosphoric acid, therefore, the concentration of the element must be maintained regardless of the circumstances. It is proved that with a lack of phosphorus, the body takes it from the cells of soft tissues. Moreover, 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, blood loses only 10% of its total mass.
Nitrogen and its functions in the body
The main role of nitrogen is the construction of proteins and amino acids. These molecules must contain an amino group, which includes this chemical element. Proteins perform a huge number of functions. For example, they are part of cell membranes and organelles, help transport molecules of other substances, perform a signaling function, and catalyze all biochemical reactions in the form of enzymes.
Amino acids are monomers of proteins. In a free state, they can also perform some functions. Amino acids are also precursors of hormones such as adrenaline, norepinephrine, triiodothyronine and thyroxine.
Nitrogen has a great effect on the functioning of the cardiovascular system. It supports vascular elasticity, blood pressure. Nitric oxide NO is one of the neurotransmitters in the axons of 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 lipid groups. If nitrogen regulates hemodynamics, then phosphorus is responsible for energy synthesis and is a structural element of bone tissue.