5.2 Functions of different minerals

5.2    Functions of different minerals

 

 

Minerals

Functions

Calcium

Essential for milk production Necessary for bone & teeth formation Required for contraction of muscles

Phosphorus

Essential for milk production Required in energy metabolism Required for bone & teeth formation

Magnesium

Important for the integrity of bone & teeth

Involved in protein synthesis and metabolism of carbohydrates & lipids

Sulphur

Required for protein synthesis and metabolism of carbohydrates & lipids

Sulphur is a part of B-complex vitamins, thiamin & biotin

Sodium &

potassium

Required for maintenance of osmotic balance

Required in acid- base equilibrium

Copper

Required for haemoglobin synthesis

Necessary for tissue pigmentation & component of several metallo-enzymes

Required for normal reproductive functions

Zinc

Spermatogenesis & the development of primary & secondary sex organs

Required for normal functioning of epithelial tissue

Activates vitamin A & its deficiency leads to night blindness

Manganese

Co-factor for many enzymes involved in carbohydrate metabolism

Activator in the synthesis of fatty acids

Iodine

Required for the synthesis of thyroid hormone (T  &T )

 

Necessary for reproduction & growth of animals

Cobalt

Required for the synthesis of vitamin B    by the rumen microbes

 

Essential for haemoglobin synthesis

Chromium

Component of Glucose Tolerance Factor (GTF)

Required for the metabolism of carbohydrates, protein and fat

Helps in improving  immune status of animals