The element I chose to focus on for the week is Magnesium. Magnesium (Mg) has an atomic number of 12 and its atomic mass is 24. This also tells us that it has 12 neutrons. Its common oxidation number is +2. It is an alkaline earth metal
and the eighth-most-abundant element in the Earth's crust and ninth in
the known universe as a whole (Wikipedia).
Mg interests me because a lot of people are concerned with how much calcium they get, not knowing that Mg is what carries the calcium through your body for proper absorption. Therefore, many people are eating things that are calcium rich but are not absorbing the proper amount.
Magnesium is a cofactor in more than 300 enzyme systems that regulate
diverse biochemical reactions in the body, including protein synthesis,
muscle and nerve function, blood glucose control, and blood pressure
regulation.
It contributes to the structural development of bone
and is required for the synthesis of DNA, RNA, and the antioxidant
glutathione.
This Chemistry class is showing me more and more how much information is kept from us, but that can be found through reading a sufficient amount of articles on the matter at hand. I feel so lucky to be in school but sometimes the information I'm getting lays heavy on my heart, for others are still ignorant to the facts. This holds true for all the information I'm learning, including nutrition, "medicine", environment, etc.
I'm also feeling overwhelmed but also intrigued by the information we are learning in class. I realize how long I've been hiding under a rock and never thought of all the political issues that relate to chemistry. There is a limitless amount of information in absorb. But I do agree it is better to be conscious, rather than asleep.
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