Calcium and Phosphorus Metabolism Flashcards
Where is calcium found in the body?
- 1% is in the cells and organelles
- .1% is in extracellular fluid
- 98.9% is in bone
50% of calcium in the body is found in what form?
Ionized Ca2+
Which form of calcium is biologically active?
Ionized Ca2+
41% of calcium in the body is found in what form?
Bound to proteins:
- Typically albumins
- Cannot diffuse through capillary walls
9% of calcium in the body is found in what form?
Combined with anions:
- Citrate, phosphate, bicarbonate
- NOT ionized
How much of calcium in the body is biologically active?
50% Ionized Ca2+
What is a normal level of calcium in the body?
9.4mg/dl (range 8.6-10.6)
Why is calcium mg/dl very tightly controlled?
Very small changes can have a drastic effect
What is the effect of hypercalcemia?
Depresses the nervous system:
- Excess calcium shuts down the sodium-calcium pumps in nerves
- Weakness, flaccid paralysis
- Anorexia, constipation
What is the effect of hypocalcemia?
Creates spontaneous nerve firing:
- Insufficient calcium increases sodium concentrations nerves
- Spasm, tetany, seizures
Calcium is a major ___-ion in bone and teeth
cation
Phosphate is a major ___-ion in bone
anion
Which mineral is fundamentally important in:
- All glycolytic compounds
- ATP, ADP, AMP, creatine phosphate
Phosphate
Which mineral is fundamentally important in:
- Neurotransmission
- Skeletal/cardiac/smooth muscle contraction
Calcium
Which mineral is fundamentally important in:
- Enzymatic reactions
- Hormone secretion; mediates hormone events
- Blood clotting
Calcium
Which mineral is fundamentally important in:
- Cofactors - NAD, NADPH
- Lipids like phosphatidyl choline
- Covalent modifier of enzymes
Phosphate
The majority of calcium and phosphate is tied up together in ___
hydroxyapatite Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2
What is the normal level of phosphate in the body?
3-4.5 mg/dl
Why aren’t phosphate levels as tightly controlled as calcium?
Larger variations are needed before any symptoms
Where is phosphate found in the body?
- 85% is in bone
- 14% is in cells
- 1% is in extracellular fluid
How much dietary calcium should be consumed?
About 1000mg of calcium/day
How much dietary calcium should be excreted?
About 1000mg of calcium/day (900mg in feces, 100mg in urine)
Which vitamin is essential for the gut wall to absorb calcium?
Vitamin D
How much calcium is absorbed by the gut wall?
About 350mg/day
How much calcium is excreted by the gut wall?
About 250mg/day
90% of calcium in excreted urine is reabsorbed in…
proximal filtrate
10% of calcium in excreted urine is reabsorbed in…
distal filtrate (depending on serum calcium levels)
Dietary phosphorus is readily absorbed ___ due to ___
readily absorbed across the gut wall due to calcium binding
Phosphorus is excreted in urine via…
overflow mechanism
When concentrations are below 1mmol/L, kidneys reabsorb ALL…
phosphate
Above 1mmol/L, ___ excretes via overflow mechanism
phosphate
Excretion of phosphate above mmol/L is equal to…
excess phosphate
Parathyroid hormone can greatly increase ___
phosphate excretion
Phosphate control is mainly via…
urinary excretion