The chemical composition of human bones. What is the chemical composition of the bones?

From school lessons in chemistry, everyone knows that the human body contains almost all the elements from the periodic table of D. I. Mendeleev. The percentage of some is very significant, while others are present only in trace amounts. But each of the chemical elements in the body has an important role to play. In the human body, mineral substances are contained in the form of salts, organic ones are presented as carbohydrates, proteins and others. Deficiency or excess of any of them leads to disruption of normal life.

The chemical composition of bones includes a number of elements and their substances, to a greater extent these are calcium salts and collagen, as well as others, the percentage of which is much less, but their role is no less significant. The strength and health of the skeleton depends on the balance of the composition, which, in turn, is determined by many factors, from a healthy diet to the ecological environment.

Skeleton Compounds

The chemical composition of bones includes substances of organic and inorganic origin. Exactly half of the mass is water, the remaining 50% is divided by ossein, fat and calcareous, phosphoric salts of calcium and magnesium, as well as sodium chloride. The mineral part accounts for about 22%, and the organic, represented by proteins, polysaccharides, citric acid and enzymes, fills about 28%. Bones contain 99% of the calcium that is in the human body. A similar component composition have teeth, nails and hair.

Transformations in various environments

In the anatomical laboratory, the following analysis can be performed to confirm the chemical composition of the bones. To determine the organic part, the tissue is exposed to a medium strength acid solution, such as hydrochloric acid, at a concentration of about 15%. In the formed medium, the dissolution of calcium salts occurs, and the ossein skeleton remains intact. Such a bone acquires the maximum property of elasticity; it can literally be tied into a knot.

The inorganic component that is part of the chemical composition of human bones can be distinguished by burning the organic part, it is easily oxidized to carbon dioxide and water. The mineral skeleton is characterized by its former form, but extreme fragility. The slightest mechanical impact - and it just crumbles.

When bones get into the soil, bacteria process organic matter, and the mineral part is completely saturated with calcium and turns into stone. In places where there is no access to moisture and microorganisms, tissues undergo natural mummification over time.

Through a microscope

Any textbook on anatomy will tell about the chemical composition and structure of bones. At the cellular level, tissue is defined as a special type of connective tissue. It is based on collagen fibers surrounded by plates composed of a crystalline substance - calcium mineral - hydroxylappatite (basic phosphate). Parallel star-shaped voids containing bone cells and blood vessels. Due to its unique microscopic structure, this fabric is surprisingly lightweight.

The main functions of compounds of different nature

The normal functioning of the musculoskeletal system depends on the chemical composition of the bones, whether organic and mineral substances are contained in sufficient quantities. Calcium and phosphate salts of calcium, which make up 95% of the inorganic part of the skeleton, and some other mineral compounds determine the property of hardness and bone strength. Thanks to them, the fabric is resistant to serious loads.

The collagen component and its normal content are responsible for such a function as elasticity, resistance to compression, stretching, bending and other mechanical stresses. But only in a coordinated “union” does the organic and mineral component provide the unique properties that bone possesses to bone tissue.

Composition of bones in childhood

The percentage of substances, which indicates the chemical composition of human bones, may vary for the same representative. Depending on age, lifestyle and other factors of influence, the number of certain compounds may vary. In particular, in children, bone tissue is only formed and consists to a greater extent of the organic component - collagen. Therefore, the skeleton of the child is more flexible and elastic.

For the correct formation of the tissues of the child, the consumption of vitamins is extremely important. In particular, such as D ₃ . Only in his presence the chemical composition of bones is fully replenished with calcium. Deficiency of this vitamin can lead to the development of chronic diseases and excessive brittleness of the skeleton due to the fact that the tissue did not fill in time with Ca ²⁺ salts.

Adult skeleton

The chemical composition of human bones after adolescence is significantly different from that of children. Now the ratio of mineral and ossein parts is approximately compared. The special flexibility of bone tissue disappears, but the strength of the skeleton due to the inorganic component increases significantly. Its physical properties are comparable to a reinforced concrete structure or cast iron, and its elasticity is even greater than that of oak wood.

In full, it is possible to ensure a balanced chemical composition of human bones (the table below contains data on the normal percentage of all the substances that make up the skeleton) thanks to a proper lifestyle, good nutrition and good health.

Changes in bone chemistry in the elderly

The chemical composition of human bones is disturbed by old age, which leads to serious consequences. Elderly people complain of problems with the musculoskeletal system, they often experience fractures that heal longer than in a child or adult. This is a consequence of an increase in the content of inorganic salts in the composition of the skeleton, their amount reaches 80%. A lack of collagen, therefore, a decrease in a property such as resilience, makes the bones extremely fragile. Restoring balance is possible with the help of special medications, but still this process cannot be stopped or reversed. This is the physiological feature of the body.

For the health and normal functioning of the skeleton, it is necessary from childhood to monitor the proper filling of bone tissue with all chemical elements and compounds, only in this case it is possible to lead a full and active lifestyle.