Abstract
Metal ions and compounds serve biological structural functions at both microscopic and macroscopic levels. The microscopic structural function is served when a metal ion plays a role in maintaining the tertiary or quaternary structure of a protein, polynucleotide, or other biological molecule. Metal compounds also constitute the important portions of skeletal or shell structures of organisms; this is their macroscopic structural function. Calcium and silicon play roles in maintaining the integrity of tissues; this task can be regarded to be intermediate between the macroscopic and the microscopic structural functions.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.
Buying options
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Learn about institutional subscriptionsPreview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1987 Plenum Press, New York
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Ochiai, EI. (1987). Structural Functions. In: General Principles of Biochemistry of the Elements. Biochemistry of the Elements, vol 7. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4684-5371-3_6
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4684-5371-3_6
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY
Print ISBN: 978-1-4684-5373-7
Online ISBN: 978-1-4684-5371-3
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive