Calcium Homeostasis COPY Flashcards
What are the roles of calcium in the body?
- Signalling
- Blood clotting
- Apoptosis
- Skeletal support
- Membrane excitatability
What is the role of calcium in signalling?
Exocytosis of synaptic vessels
- Sarcoplasmic reticulum = contraction of muscle fibres
How does calcium mediate membrane excitatability?
Calcium decreases sodium permeability of the membrane
What happens to membrane excitatability during hypocalcaemia?
- Neuronal Na+ permeability is increased
- Hyperexcitation of neurones occurs
- In extreme cases, hypocalcaemia causes tetany and asphyxiation
What happens to membrane excitatability during hypercalcaemia?
- High calcium decreases neuronal Na+ permeability
- Reduces excitatability
- Depresses neuromuscular activity
- Hypercalcaemia can cause cardiac arrhythmias
How is calcium distributed in the body?
99% in bones
0.9% ICF
0.1% ECF - only physiologically active
How is calcium stored in bone?
Stored as hydroxyapatite (contains phosphates so phosphate homeostasis is important in calcium storage)
Where is calcium stored in the ICF?
Mitochondria/sarcoplasmic reticulum
How is calcium found in the ECF?
40% is bound to proteins
50% free
10% complexed
What are normal values of [Ca2+]plasma
2.2 - 2.6mM
What is the effect of alkalosis on calcium protein binding?
Increased
- Therefore hyperventilation (alkalosis) can lead to hypocalcaemic tetany
What is the effect of acidosis on calcium binding?
Reduced
- H+ ions displace protein bound calcium
- Can lead to arrhythmia
What is the primary and secondary role of bone stored calcium?
Primary = maintaining plasma calcium levels
Secondary = structural support
What is the role of osteoblasts and how do they achieve it?
Build up bone
- Lay down collagen matrix that they then calcify
- They then differentiate into osteocytes