Minerals: Definition, Flow Chart, Benefits

What are Minerals?

Minerals are naturally occurring inorganic elements needed for bodily functions. Unlike vitamins, they are inorganic chemical elements that combine to form the compounds of minerals that the body requires to conduct various physiological processes. They are major structural components of bones, teeth, and blood and are equally vital to muscle, nerve and enzyme function.

Minerals are classified into two major groups: macro-minerals and micro-minerals. The macro-minerals are calcium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, magnesium, and sulfur, and they are all required by the body in large quantities. The micro-minerals (trace elements) are iron, zinc, copper, selenium, iodine, fluoride, and manganese. Minerals can be mineralised from plants, animals, soils, and water.

Classification of Minerals

Minerals can broadly be classified based on the quantities in which they are required by the body.

Macrominerals

Macro-minerals are those required in relatively larger amounts to be able to maintain health and proper physiological functions.

Calcium (Ca)

• Required for the building of bones and teeth, muscle function and nerve signalling.

• Food sources includes milk and milk products, green leafy vegetables and fortified foods.

• Deficiency symptoms include osteoporosis, rickets, muscle cramps.

Phosphorus (P)

• It is involved in the structure of bones and teeth and the construction of DNA and RNA.

• It also participates in how the body conserves and transports energy.

• Dietary sources are meats, dairy, and nuts.

• Deficiency symptoms include muscular weakness, bone pain, and osteomalacia.

Potassium (K)

• It regulates fluid balance, muscle contractions and nerve signals.

• Dietary sources are bananas, oranges, potatoes and spinach.

• Deficiency symptoms include muscle weakness, cramps, and irregular heartbeat.

Sodium (Na)

• Maintains fluid balance and supports nerve function and muscle contractions.

• Dietary sources are table salt, processed foods and soy sauce.

• Deficiency symptoms include hyponatremia, headaches, nausea, muscle cramps.

Magnesium (Mg)

• Maintains muscle and nerve function, regulates blood sugar levels and contributes to bone health.

• Food sources are nuts, seeds, whole grains and green leafy vegetables

• Deficiency symptoms are muscle spasms, anxiety, irregular heartbeats.

Sulfur (S)

• Among the essential minerals, it is a very vital mineral, a chief constituent of some amino acids, apart from its role in some vitamins.

• Dietary sources are garlic, onions, eggs and meat.

• Deficiency symptoms include arthritis, skin problems and fatigue.

Microminerals

Micro-minerals are required by the body in smaller amounts but are crucial to many biochemical and physiological body functions.

Iron (Fe)

• The component of haemoglobin enhances oxygen transportation and energy production.

• Dietary sources are red meat, beans, fortified cereals and spinach.

• Deficiency symptoms are anemia, weakness, lowered resistance to infection.

Zinc (Zn)

• Involved in immune function, wound healing and DNA synthesis.

• Dietary sources are meat and shellfish, legumes, seeds.

• Deficiency symptoms include growth retardation, alopecia and impaired immune response.

Copper (Cu)

• Facilitate iron absorption, involved in energy production, and formation of connective tissue.

• Dietary sources are shellfish, nuts, seeds and whole grains.

• Deficiency symptoms are anemia, bone abnormalities, cardiovascular problems.

Selenium (Se)

• Acts as an antioxidant, thyroid function.

• Dietary sources are Brazil nuts, seafood, and eggs.

• Deficiency symptoms include Keshan disease, hypothyroidism, and compromised immunity.

Iodine (I)

• Component of thyroid hormones.

• Dietary sources are iodized salt, seafood and milk.

• Deficiency symptoms: Goiter, hypothyroidism, developmental delays.

Fluoride (F)

• Hardens teeth and thus prevents dental decay.

• Dietary sources are fluoridated water, tea and seafood

• Deficiency symptoms are dental decay

Manganese (Mn)

• A component of bone, involved in bone formation and metabolism, in antioxidant functions.

• Food Sources are whole grains, nuts and leafy vegetables.

• Deficiency symptoms are weak bones, joint aches/pains and low fertility.

Biological Functions of Minerals

Minerals carry out the following important functions in the human body.

• Enzymatic Reactions: Many of the minerals act as cofactors for enzymes, which catalyse biochemical reactions.

• Bone and Teeth Formation: Minerals like calcium and phosphorus are required to develop and maintain bones and teeth.

• Electrolytes: Electrolytes, such as sodium and potassium, are important for maintaining fluid balance and the transmission of nerve impulses.

• Immune System Support: Zinc and selenium are important for immune function.

• Muscle Function and Cardiovascular Health: Magnesium and potassium play essential roles in the contraction effectiveness of muscles and the health of the heart.

Absorption and Metabolism of Minerals

Absorption and metabolism vary from mineral to mineral and also at the individual physiological level.

• Minerals absorbed in the intestines are absorbed through active transport, whereas some are through passive means.

• Age, health conditions, and the presence or absence of other nutrients are only but a few of the factors that affect bioavailability.

• The minerals absorbed are delivered to the blood through it and later transported to different tissues places, where the mineral is deposited or stored.

Mineral Deficiency and Toxicity

Any imbalance in either excess or deficiency of minerals causes a disorder and toxicity in the body.

Minerals NEET MCQs (With Answers & Explanations)

The key concepts to be covered under this topic for different exams are:

• Classification of Minerals

• Deficiencies and Toxicity caused by Minerals

Practice Questions for NEET

Q1. Minerals are absorbed by plants in

1. Colloidal form

2. Ionic form

3. Precipitated form

4. None of these

Correct answer: 2) Ionic form

Explanation:

Minerals in the plant are taken up as ions from the soil into the roots. This is a result of both passive absorption when ions move through concentration gradients without utilizing energy, and active absorption, which requires using energy to force ions against their gradients. Ions of special importance are K⁺ (potassium), Ca²⁺ (calcium), and NO₃⁻ (nitrate). Root hairs increase the absorption efficiency, whereas mycorrhizal fungi also increase mineral absorption, which facilitates essential physiological processes and the neural well-being of plants.

Hence, the correct answer is option 2) Ionic form.

Q2. Which of the following is not a criteria of essentiality of mineral nutrients?

1. Which of the following is not a criteria of essentiality of mineral nutrients?

2. The element must be directly involved in the metabolism

3. In the absence of element, no disorder or malformation in plant should occur

4. The requirement of element must be specific

Correct answer: 3) In the absence of element, no disorder or malformation in plant should occur

Explanation:

The criteria of essentiality are as follows.

1. The element must be necessary for supporting normal growth and reproduction. In the absence of the element, the plants do not complete their life cycle or set the seeds.

2. The requirement of the element must be specific and not replaceable by another element. In

other words, deficiency of any one element cannot be met by supplying some other element.

3. The element must be directly involved in the metabolism of the plant.

4. In the absence of an element a disorder or malformation in plants occur

Hence, the correct answer is option 3) In the absence of an element, no disorder or malformation in the plant should occur.

Q3. The technique of growing plants in a liquid nutrient solution is called

1. Mineral nutrition

2. Hydroponics

3. Aeroponics

4. Both a and b

Correct answer: 2) Hydroponics

Explanation:

Hydroponics is a method of growing plants without soil, using a nutrient-rich water solution to supply the essential nutrients required for plant growth. The roots of the plants are submerged in this nutrient solution, allowing them to absorb water and nutrients directly. Hydroponics can be used to grow a wide variety of plants, including vegetables, herbs, and even fruits, in environments where soil may not be available or suitable for traditional farming. This method offers several benefits, such as faster plant growth, efficient use of water, and the ability to grow in controlled environments like greenhouses or indoors.

Hence, the correct answer is option 2) Hydroponics.

Also Read:

• MCQs on Essential Mineral Nutrients in Plants

• Fate of Ammonia

• Nitrogen Metabolism

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