Define briefly about the selenium, Biology

Assignment Help:

Define briefly about the Selenium?

The element selenium was discovered in 1817 in association with the element sulphur. However, selenium as an essential nutrient remained unrecognized for many years, although selenium toxicity in horses and cattle, "blind staggers" and "alkali disease" was known since the 1930s. The first description of the dietary selenium deficiency in isolated populations in the People's Republic of China, was made in 1979. The disease known as Keshan disease, named for the country where it was first recognized, was characterized by cardiomyopathy affecting primarily children and young women. The disease was often fatal. The second selenium deficiency disease Kashin-Beck disease was reported in 1980. It was prevalent in China and Sino-Soviet border. Both the diseases were caused primarily due to selenium deficiency in the soil.

Selenium is a non metallic element and exists in several oxidation states which include Se2+, Se4+ and Se6+. The chemistry of selenium is similar to that of sulphur. Selenium replaces sulphur to form organic compounds such as selenocysteine and selenomethionine. Total selenium content of the body varies from 3-15 mg depending on the dietary intake. Approximately 30% of tissue selenium is contained in the liver, 15% in kidney, 30% in muscle and 10% in blood plasma. Much of tissue selenium is found in proteins as selenoanalogues of sulphur amino acids; other metabolically active forms include selenotrisulphides and other acid-labile selenium compounds.

 

 


Related Discussions:- Define briefly about the selenium

What is the structural formula of glycerol, What is the structural formula ...

What is the structural formula of glycerol? To which organic function do these molecules belong? Glycerol is a linear chain of 3 carbons; the central carbon is bound to one hyd

Haccp is a food-related operation, HACCP  is a food-related operation to: ...

HACCP  is a food-related operation to: A) Identify and assess hazard at every stage of operation, right from start to finish B) Determine the critical control points C) E

Children with infective endocarditis, Among neonates, IE typically involves...

Among neonates, IE typically involves the tricuspid valve of structurally normal hearts and is associated with very high mortality rates.  It is likely that many of these episodes

Ecosystem degradation and wildlife, Ecosystem Degradation and Wildlife ...

Ecosystem Degradation and Wildlife Man is an animal with ecological requirements just like any other animal. It constantly needs a source of energy and.minera1 nutrients for i

What are target organs of the hormones, What are target organs of the hormo...

What are target organs of the hormones? Target organs, target tissues and target cells are those exact organs, tissues and cells upon which each hormone acts and makes its effe

Residual volume - respiration, Residual Volume - Respiration Norma...

Residual Volume - Respiration Normal 0 false false false EN-IN X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4

Hypodermic-subcutaneous injection , Hypodermic-Subcutaneous Injection ...

Hypodermic-Subcutaneous Injection By this route the drug is mainly absorbed into the blood stream by way of the lymphatic drainage. Absorption is slower by this route

Write Your Message!

Captcha
Free Assignment Quote

Assured A++ Grade

Get guaranteed satisfaction & time on delivery in every assignment order you paid with us! We ensure premium quality solution document along with free turntin report!

All rights reserved! Copyrights ©2019-2020 ExpertsMind IT Educational Pvt Ltd