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

Biotechnology, How does bisulfite sequencing work ?

How does bisulfite sequencing work ?

Transport in plants, Osmosis and transpiration both play a part in the move...

Osmosis and transpiration both play a part in the movement of water through a plant. Which of these two processes makes the greater contribution to the movement of water up the t

Show the valve that separates the aorta from the heart, Q. What is the valv...

Q. What is the valve that separates the aorta from the heart? What is the importance of that valve? The valve between the aorta and the left ventricle is the aortic valve. The

Explain gum tragacanth, Gum Tragacanth  Gum tragacanth, the exudation o...

Gum Tragacanth  Gum tragacanth, the exudation of Astragalus species, is defined as the "dried gummy exudate" obtained from Astragalus gummifer Labillardiere. Gum tragacanth is

Zoology, Wheel organ of amphioxus.

Wheel organ of amphioxus.

What are the typical fauna of the temperate forests, What are the typical v...

What are the typical vegetation and the typical fauna of the temperate forests? In the temperate forest deciduous trees predominate. Mammals are originated in great number, as

What are the main components of the cytoskeleton, The cytoskeleton is a net...

The cytoskeleton is a network of very little tubules and filaments spread throughout the cytoplasm of eukaryotic cells. It is made of microtubules, microfilaments and intermediate

Explain the objectives of taxonomy, Explain the Objectives of Taxonomy ...

Explain the Objectives of Taxonomy Let us summarise the objectives of taxonomy: 1. To inventory the world flora and fauna 2. To provide a method for identification and co

Describe other concerns in congenital heart disease, Describe Other Concer...

Describe Other Concerns in Adults with Congenital Heart Disease ? Infective endocarditis prophylaxis: The standard guidelines for infective endocarditis prophylaxis should be

What would be the probability the result, A plant grown from one of Mendel'...

A plant grown from one of Mendel's yellow pea is selfed. Three progeny peas from this are obtained and they are all green. Is the original plant homozygous or heterozygous, and wha

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