The Biological Chemistry of the Elements

PART I: THE CHEMICAL AND PHYSICAL FACTORS CONTROLLING THE ELEMENTS OF LIFE: The chemical elements in biology; The principles of the chemical uptake and speciation of the elements in biology; Physical separation of the elements: compartments and zones in biology; Kinetic considerations of chemical reactions, catalysis, and control; Energy in biological systems and hydrogen biochemistry; The functional value of the chemical elements in biological systems; The role of biological macromolecules and polymers; PART II: THE ROLES OF INDIVIDUAL ELELMENTS IN BIOLOGY: Sodium, potassium, and chlorine: osmotic control, electrolyte equilibria, and currents; The biological chemistry of magnesium: phosphate metabolism; Calcium: controls and triggers; Zinc: Lewis acid catalysis and regulation; Non-haem iron: redox reactions and controls; Haem iron: coupled redox reactions; Manganese: dioxygen evolution and glycosylation; Copper: extracytoplasmic oxidases and matrix formation; Nickel and cobalt: remnants of early life?; Molybdenum, vanadium, and tungsten; Phosphate, silica, and chloride: acid-base non-metals; Sulphur, selenium, and halogens: redox non-metals; PART III: BIOLOGICAL SHAPE AND THE INTEGRATION OF ELEMENT FUNCTIONS: Biological minerals and biological shapes; An integrated view: the elements in homeostasis, morphogenesis, and evolution; Man's use of the chemical elements in biological environments; Index.