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Calcium is a chemical element; it has symbol Ca and atomic number 20. As an alkaline earth metal, calcium is a reactive metal that forms a dark oxide-nitride layer when exposed to air. Its physical and chemical properties are most similar to its heavier homologues strontium and barium. It is the fifth most abundant element in Earth's crust, and ...
Calcium in biology. Calcium is used in many nerves in the voltage-gated calcium channel which is slightly slower than the voltage-gated potassium channel. It is most notably used in the cardiac action potential. [1] Calcium ions (Ca 2+) contribute to the physiology and biochemistry of organisms' cells. They play an important role in signal ...
Calcium metabolism is the movement and regulation of calcium ions (Ca 2+) in (via the gut) and out (via the gut and kidneys) of the body, and between body compartments: the blood plasma, the extracellular and intracellular fluids, and bone. Bone acts as a calcium storage center for deposits and withdrawals as needed by the blood via continual ...
A calcium channel is an ion channel which shows selective permeability to calcium ions. It is sometimes synonymous with voltage-gated calcium channel, [1] which are a type of calcium channel regulated by changes in membrane potential. Some calcium channels are regulated by the binding of a ligand. [2][3] Other calcium channels can also be ...
Calcium signaling is the use of calcium ions (Ca 2+) to communicate and drive intracellular processes often as a step in signal transduction. Ca 2+ is important for cellular signalling, for once it enters the cytosol of the cytoplasm it exerts allosteric regulatory effects on many enzymes and proteins. Ca 2+ can act in signal transduction ...
The calcium cycle is a transfer of calcium between dissolved and solid phases. There is a continuous supply of calcium ions into waterways from rocks, organisms, and soils. [1] [2] Calcium ions are consumed and removed from aqueous environments as they react to form insoluble structures such as calcium carbonate and calcium silicate, [1] [3] which can deposit to form sediments or the ...
The calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR) is a Class C G-protein coupled receptor which senses extracellular levels of calcium ions. It is primarily expressed in the parathyroid gland, the renal tubules of the kidney and the brain. [5] [6] In the parathyroid gland, it controls calcium homeostasis by regulating the release of parathyroid hormone (PTH ...
Calcium pumps are a family of ion transporters found in the cell membrane of all animal cells. They are responsible for the active transport of calcium out of the cell for the maintenance of the steep Ca 2+ electrochemical gradient across the cell membrane. Calcium pumps play a crucial role in proper cell signalling by keeping the intracellular ...