Metals, in biological systems

Kendrick MJ, May MT, Plishka MJ, Robinson KD (1992) Metals in biological systems. Ellis Harwood, Chichester pp 71-79... 

Table 1.2 Metals in Biological Systems Charge Carriers...

Table 1.3 Metals in Biological Systems Structural, Triggers...

Table 1.4 Metals in Biological Systems Electron Transfer...

Table 1.5 Metals in Biological Systems Dioxygen Transport...

Table 1.6 Metals in Biological Systems Enzyme Catalysis...

ELECTRONIC AND GEOMETRIC STRUCTURES OF METALS IN BIOLOGICAL SYSTEMS... 

Electronic and Geometric Structures of Metals in Biological Systems, 11... 

We have included introductory chapters to enable readers who come from a more biological background to understand the notions of inorganic chemistry, and vice versa to explain chemists the important notions of structural and molecular biology, which will be necessary to follow our path through the diverse roles of metals in biological systems. 

The study of metals in biological systems requires techniques, some of them highly specific, some limited to certain aspects of the metal ion in question, some of more general applicability. Thus, Mossbauer spectroscopy in biological systems is restricted to iron-containing systems because the only element available with a Mossbauer nucleus is 57Fe. The EPR spectroscopic techniques will be of application only if the metal centre has an unpaired electron. In contrast, provided that crystals can be obtained, X-ray diffraction allows the determination of the 3-D structure of metalloproteins and their metal centres. 

Metals in biological systems function in a number of different ways. Group 1 and 2 metals operate as structural elements or in the maintenance of charge and osmotic balance (Table 1.2). Transition metal ions that exist in single oxidation states, such as zinc(II), function as structural elements in superoxide dismutase and zinc fingers, or, as an example from main group +2 ions, as triggers for protein activity—that is, calcium ions in calmodulin or troponin C... 

GROUP I AND II METALS IN BIOLOGICAL SYSTEMS HOMEOSTASIS AND GROUP I BIOMOLECULES... 

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