Medicinal Inorganic Chemistry 4 Flashcards
Name 4 alkaline earth metals
Beryllium - chronic beryllium disease
Magnesium - lithium competitor
Calcium - key to many human function
Barium - rat poison
Where are alkaline earth metals found in the periodic table?
Group (column) 2
s-block metals
Describe the atomic structure of alkaline earth metals
Only have 2 electrons in their outer shell
Outer electron of an s-orbital type
Describe how alkaline earth metals act
Low ionisation energy - formation of a cation, M(+2)
Which alkaline earth metal has the greatest atomic and ionic radii?
Radium
Which alkaline earth metal has the greatest 1st ionisation energy?
Beryllium
Which alkaline earth metal has the greatest melting and boiling points?
Beryllium
Which alkaline earth metal has the lowest melting and boiling points?
Radium
Which form of magnesium is most soluble in water?
Magnesium salts
What is milk of magnesia?
Suspension of Mg(OH)2
Mild base
Commonly used as an antacid
Name 3 roles of magnesium in the body
Co-factor in enzymatic processes
Signalling
Nucleic acid biochemistry - manipulation of ATP, DNA, RNA etc
How does kidney failure affect the concentration of magnesium in the body?
Magnesium is excreted by the kidneys
Therefore kidney failure = hypermagnesaemia
Which leads to muscle weakness and arrhythmias
What can hypomagnesaemia be caused by?
GI tract losses
Alcoholism
Drugs
Often followed by hypocalcaemia and hypokalaemia
Name 2 roles of calcium in the body
Universal role as messenger
Mediates cardiac, skeletal and smooth muscle contraction
What is hydroxylapatite?
Mineral, a naturally occurring form of calcium apatite
Can be found within human teeth and bones
Therefore can be used as a filler to replace amputated bone or as a coating to promote bone ingrowth into prosthetic implants
What is calcium’s role in bone?
Preserves structural integrity
Acts as a reservoir
Where is calcium found in the extracellular space?
Plasma
Lymph
Extracellular water etc
Where is calcium balance regulated?
It is regulated through the gut, skeleton and kidneys
How is calcium regulated?
Regulated by:
Hormones directly related to calcium e.g. PTH = calciotropic
Hormones not regulated by calcium level e.g. sexual hormones growth factors = non-calciotropic hormones
What is a calciotropic hormone?
One that regulates calcium levels in the blood and bone
Name 2 adverse effects of high intake of calcium
Constipation
Bloating
What is a barium meal?
A BaSO4 suspension
Given to patient orally
Allows x-ray imaging of oesophagus, stomach and untestines
How does a barium meal allow the use of x-ray imaging of the GI tract?
Heavy barium ions absorb x-rays readily
So structures become visible
Define: Hygroscopy
The ability of a substance to attract and hold water molecules from its surrounding
