The role of calcium and comparable cations in animal behaviour / by R. G. Wilkins and P. C. Wilkins.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Wilkins, Ralph G., 1927-

Contributor:

Wilkins, Patricia C.

Royal Society of Chemistry (Great Britain)

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Calcium--Physiological transport.

Calcium.

Cations--Physiological transport.

Cations.

Animal behavior.

Physiology.

Physical Description:

xxx, 217 pages : illustrations ; 24 cm

Place of Publication:

Cambridge : Royal Society of Chemistry, [2003]

Summary:

Calcium and comparable cations are fast being recognised for their role as vital components of animal physiology. When trying to answer questions such as why salmon can adjust to life in fresh water as well as seawater, or why chilli peppers taste hot to humans but evoke little response from chickens, we often find the answers lie in patterns of movement of these ions and their roles in sensing, transmitting and collecting messages. Bringing together scattered literature on calcium, sodium, potassium and magnesium in biology, this book examines important biological contributions of these ions including enzyme activation, effects in all types of muscle and biomineralization. Attention is focused on: channel construction and ion movement; calcium as a second messenger and in the construction of solids and ion channelopathies, with the help of personalities such as Agatha Christie, van Gogh and Captain Cook. The Role of Calcium and Comparable Cations in Animal Behaviour will be valued by a wide-range of readers including students of bioinorganic chemistry and animal behavioural studies, teachers and other professionals in academia.

Contents:

Amino Acids and Their Abbreviations xxiv

Chapter 1 The Ions 1

1.2 Occurrence 2

1.2.1 Earth's Crust 2

1.2.2 The Seas 3

1.2.3 Biological Materials 3

1.3 Coordination Chemistry 4

1.3.1 Ion Sizes 4

1.3.2 Donor Atoms and Strength of Binding 4

1.3.3 Calcium Binding Domains 7

1.3.4 Geometry of Binding 8

1.3.5 Kinetic Lability 10

1.4 Solubility of Salts and Attendant Problems 10

1.5 Assay 12

1.5.1 Solution 12

1.5.2 Determination of Intracellular Calcium Ion Concentrations 12

1.5.3 Procedures 14

1.5.4 Caged Calcium 15

1.5.5 Solid State 16

Chapter 2 Biological Roles 18

2.1 Sodium 18

2.1.1 Impulse Transmission 18

2.1.2 Solute Transport 19

2.2 Potassium 21

2.2.1 Impulse Transmission 21

2.2.2 Enzyme Activation 21

2.3 Magnesium 22

2.3.1 Impulse Inhibition 22

2.3.2 Interactions with Biomolecules 22

2.3.3 Cell Walls Structure 22

2.3.4 Enzyme Activation 23

2.3.5 Photosynthesis 26

2.4 Calcium 26

2.4.1 Impulse Transmission 26

2.4.2 Second Messenger Action 27

2.5 Calcium Binding Proteins and Their Occurrence 27

2.5.1 Calmodulin 28

2.5.2 Lectins 30

2.5.3 Regulation of Gene Expression 31

2.5.4 Cell Birth and Death 31

2.5.5 Exocytosis and Endocytosis 33

2.5.6 Movement in Organisms 34

2.5.7 Blood Coagulation 35

2.5.8 Biomineralization 36

2.6 Clinical Aspects 37

2.6.1 Dietary Requirements 37

2.6.2 Deficiencies and Excesses 37

2.6.3 Medicines 39

Chapter 3 Moving Ions Through Membranes 41

3.1 Why and Where Channels Occur 41

3.2 Channel Stimuli and Types of Channels 43

3.3 Voltage Gated Channels 44

3.3.1 Sodium Channels 45

3.3.2 Potassium Channels 46

3.3.3 Calcium Channels 47

3.4 Structural Aspects 48

3.4.1 Topology of the [alpha]-subunit of Voltage Gated Ion Channels 48

3.4.2 The KcsA Channel Pore 50

3.5 Ligand Promoted Channel Opening 52

3.5.1 Ligands and Receptors 54

3.5.2 G-protein Linked Receptors 56

3.5.3 Mediated Transport Systems 61

3.6 Pumps 61

3.6.1 Primary Active Transport (ATPases) 61

3.6.2 Secondary Active Transport 64

3.7 Ion Homeostasis 65

3.7.1 pH[subscript i] Regulation 65

3.7.2 Cellular Ca[superscript 2+] ion Homeostasis 65

3.8 Moving Ions Between Cells 68

Chapter 4 Intracellular Signalling 70

4.1 Reflex Arc 70

4.2 Neuron Structure 72

4.3 Neuron Charge 73

4.4 Generation of Action Potentials 75

4.4.1 The Propagation of Action Potential Along an Axon 81

4.4.2 Patterns of Action Potential Firing 83

4.4.3 Myelin Covering 84

4.5 Malfunctioning of Neurons 84

4.5.1 Intracorporal Upset 85

4.5.2 Extracorporal Invasion (Neurotoxins) 87

4.6 Local Anaesthetics 94

Chapter 5 Intercellular Signalling 97

5.1 Exocytosis 97

5.1.1 Endocytosis 99

5.1.2 Neurotoxins That Target Exocytosis 100

5.1.3 Clostridial Toxins 100

5.2 The Chemical Nature of Neurosecretions 102

5.3 Neurotransmitters 102

5.3.1 Fate of Neurotransmitter After Use 103

5.3.2 Manipulation of Neurotransmitter by the Target Cell 104

5.4 Inhibitory Postsynaptic Potential (IPSP) 105

5.5 Excitatory Postsynaptic Potential (EPSP) 109

5.6 Neuromuscular Diseases 110

5.7 Neurotoxins that Target Postsynaptic Receptors 110

Chapter 6 Muscle 116

6.1 Muscle Types 116

6.2 Skeletal Muscle 116

6.2.1 Final Events Leading to Skeletal Muscle Contraction 118

6.2.2 Muscle Contraction 122

6.2.3 Summary of the Events Between Stimulation and Muscle Contraction 126

6.3 Muscle Functions 127

6.3.1 Posture and Movement of Bodies 127

6.3.2 Production of Sound 127

6.3.3 Insect Flight 129

6.4 Cardiac Muscle 130

6.4.1 Comparison with Skeletal Muscle 130

6.4.2 Generation of Action Potential 131

6.4.3 Electrocardiogram (ECG) 133

6.4.4 Cardiac Arrhythmias 134

6.4.5 Nervous Control of Heartbeat 138

6.5 Smooth Muscle 140

6.5.1 Mechanisms of Contraction 143

6.5.2 Catch Muscle 144

6.5.3 Abnormalities in Smooth Muscle 145

6.5.4 Non-muscle Cells 147

6.6 Ion Channelopathies Associated with Muscle Dysfunction 148

6.6.1 Myotonias 150

Chapter 7 Senses 155

7.1 Types of Sensations and Their General Processing 155

7.2 Touch and Hearing 158

7.2.1 Paramecia Respond to Touch 158

7.2.2 Cockroaches Respond to Wind 159

7.2.3 Spiders Respond to Vibrations 159

7.2.4 Alligators Respond to Ripples on the Surface of the Water 160

7.2.5 Humans Respond to a Tap on the Knee 160

7.3 Hearing in Humans 161

7.4 Sight 163

7.4.1 Vertebrate Eye 164

7.4.2 Conversion of Light to Electrical Signals 164

7.4.3 Electroreceptor Cells 167

7.5 Smell and Taste 168

7.5.1 Vertebrate Olfactory Receptor 168

7.5.2 Vertebrate Taste Receptors 170

7.5.3 Taste Modalities 171

7.6 Hot and Cold 173

7.7 Pain 175

7.7.1 Pain Signalling and Pain Moderation 176

7.7.2 Hot and Cold Pain 177

Chapter 8 Biomineralization 181

8.2 Importance of Biominerals to Organisms 183

8.3 Biomineralization in Invertebrates 184

8.3.1 Protoctista (Alternative, Protista) 184

8.3.2 Cnidaria 186

8.3.3 Crustacea 186

8.3.4 Mollusca 187

8.4 Biomineralization in Vertebrates 190

8.4.1 Otoliths 190

8.4.2 Bone 192

8.4.3 Teeth 194.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages [196]-201) and index.

ISBN:

0854046666

OCLC:

52287027