Hello. My name is Robusta La Bone. I’m a calcium mole. A mole refers to the
quantity of a substance that has a mass in grams numerically equal to its molecular mass.
In my case, there are 6.02 x 10 to the 23rd molecules of calcium in me. The
number 6.02 x 10 to the 23rd is called Avogadro’s number.
Now, a little about me. My atomic number is 20 and I weigh 40.08 grams. My symbol is
Ca. I was first purely isolated in 1808 by Sir Humphry Davy, an English Chemist. However,
I was used by the ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans to make mortar a very long time
ago. I belong to the alkaline earth metal family. There are six elements, including me, in
my family. I am a very reactive element. In fact, I am so reactive that I only occur in
nature as a compound. The most common compounds that I am involved with are calcium
carbonate, calcium fluoride, and calcium sulfate. As for my appearance, I am a soft,
silvery-white metal. I am one of the most abundant metals; the 5th most common
element. I even help make up the earth’s crust.
I have many uses. I am used in fertilizer and paint. Construction workers use my
fluoride and sulfate compounds in plaster and cement. Oxygen and I work together to tan
leather. Another one of my uses is my ability to remove bismuth during lead purification.
I am found in limestone, marble, pearls, eggshells, coral, and chalk.
I am also found in people. I make up two percent of the human body. Inside the human
body, ninety-nine percent of me is in the bones and teeth. The other one percent of me is
in the blood. My existence is very important for people’s health. I help keep bones
and teeth strong. I help to prevent blood clots. I also assist in muscle contractions and
am found in enzyme systems and help cell membranes be more permeable.
I help treat Osteoporosis. Research has shown that I can slow the rate of bone loss in
women with Osteoporosis. Not only to I treat Osteoporosis, but I also help prevent it
because of my ability to make people’s bones stronger. Researchers have not
determined if I help bones build up after they have been lost, but I am trying to find a
way to make this happen.
Vitamin D is one of my best friends. Because we are so close, I work better if Vitamin
D is close by. I am absorbed quicker in a body that has a lot of Vitamin D. So for best
results, take your vitamins!
I occur in many living things including leaves on trees, soil, food, and animals. I am
found in many food items such as milk, yogurt, cheese, other dairy products, and
vegetables. I am contained in some fruits. I am in vitamins and effect the health of
humans. I am essential to their well being. If humans do not receive enough of me, they
could have weak bones, weak teeth, or vitamin inefficiencies.
Some of my main jobs in the body are cell communication and cell division. I construct
channels, called calcium channels , that connect cells together. These channels transmit
information from cell to cell. My assistance in cell division is related to communication.
When there is not enough of me in the cells, messages do not get across to other cells.
When this happens the cells keep dividing without stopping. If the cells do not stop
dividing, a pileup can occur which causes misshapen cells. This condition is called
hyperplasia. This condition can cause cancer if it continues long enough.
In conclusion, I play a very important role in the human body. I prevent and treat
osteoporosis, prevent cancer, help cells communicate and divide, prevent blood clots, and
strengthen bones and teeth. I can not be produced by the body, but plenty of me exists in
food. I am a popular element that has many functions; a main one being the upkeep of the
body. Well, I have to go now. Hopefully I’ll have a chance to chat with you later. As
you can tell, I love talking about myself. TTFN (ta ta for now). Don’t forget to take
your calcium!!!
