Revision | Chemistry Optional Notes for UPSC PDF Download

 Page 1


Role of Metal Ions in Biological Systems
Prof. Ramesh Chandra
Page 2


Role of Metal Ions in Biological Systems
Prof. Ramesh Chandra
Panch Bhoota
A group of five basic elements, which, according to Hinduism, is
the basis of all cosmic creation
These five elements are :
? Prithvi (Earth)
? Apas/Jal ( Water)
?Agni(Fire)
? Vayu (Air)
? Aakash(Aether)
According to Ayurveda and Yoga, Pancha Bhoota are associated
with overall health of human being. Any disorder in human body
indicates imbalance of one or more of these elements
Page 3


Role of Metal Ions in Biological Systems
Prof. Ramesh Chandra
Panch Bhoota
A group of five basic elements, which, according to Hinduism, is
the basis of all cosmic creation
These five elements are :
? Prithvi (Earth)
? Apas/Jal ( Water)
?Agni(Fire)
? Vayu (Air)
? Aakash(Aether)
According to Ayurveda and Yoga, Pancha Bhoota are associated
with overall health of human being. Any disorder in human body
indicates imbalance of one or more of these elements
The Beginning
• Classical biochemistry was concerned mainly with organic 
compounds
• Improved trace analytical methods had demonstrated the 
importance of quite a number of “inorganic” elements in 
biochemical processes
• Some “inorganic” elements were established quite early as 
essential components of living systems. E.g.
? The discoveries of elemental phosphorus (as P4) by dry 
distillation of urine residues in 1669
? The extraction of (K2CO3, potash) from plants 
? The extraction of  iron-containing complex salts from animal 
blood in the 18th century
• It was only after 1960 that bioinorganic chemistry became an 
independent and highly interdisciplinary research area
Page 4


Role of Metal Ions in Biological Systems
Prof. Ramesh Chandra
Panch Bhoota
A group of five basic elements, which, according to Hinduism, is
the basis of all cosmic creation
These five elements are :
? Prithvi (Earth)
? Apas/Jal ( Water)
?Agni(Fire)
? Vayu (Air)
? Aakash(Aether)
According to Ayurveda and Yoga, Pancha Bhoota are associated
with overall health of human being. Any disorder in human body
indicates imbalance of one or more of these elements
The Beginning
• Classical biochemistry was concerned mainly with organic 
compounds
• Improved trace analytical methods had demonstrated the 
importance of quite a number of “inorganic” elements in 
biochemical processes
• Some “inorganic” elements were established quite early as 
essential components of living systems. E.g.
? The discoveries of elemental phosphorus (as P4) by dry 
distillation of urine residues in 1669
? The extraction of (K2CO3, potash) from plants 
? The extraction of  iron-containing complex salts from animal 
blood in the 18th century
• It was only after 1960 that bioinorganic chemistry became an 
independent and highly interdisciplinary research area
Development 
The following factors have been crucial for the development of 
bioinorganic chemistry
? Biochemical isolation and purification procedures like 
chromatography and trace element analysis techniques like 
AAS have characterized otherwise conspicuous metals in 
living systems
? Elucidation of the mechanisms of organic, inorganic and 
biochemical reactions led to an understanding of biological 
functions of inorganic elements
? The contributions from physics, chemistry, medicine, 
toxicology etc have led to rapid progress of bioinorganic 
chemistry 
Page 5


Role of Metal Ions in Biological Systems
Prof. Ramesh Chandra
Panch Bhoota
A group of five basic elements, which, according to Hinduism, is
the basis of all cosmic creation
These five elements are :
? Prithvi (Earth)
? Apas/Jal ( Water)
?Agni(Fire)
? Vayu (Air)
? Aakash(Aether)
According to Ayurveda and Yoga, Pancha Bhoota are associated
with overall health of human being. Any disorder in human body
indicates imbalance of one or more of these elements
The Beginning
• Classical biochemistry was concerned mainly with organic 
compounds
• Improved trace analytical methods had demonstrated the 
importance of quite a number of “inorganic” elements in 
biochemical processes
• Some “inorganic” elements were established quite early as 
essential components of living systems. E.g.
? The discoveries of elemental phosphorus (as P4) by dry 
distillation of urine residues in 1669
? The extraction of (K2CO3, potash) from plants 
? The extraction of  iron-containing complex salts from animal 
blood in the 18th century
• It was only after 1960 that bioinorganic chemistry became an 
independent and highly interdisciplinary research area
Development 
The following factors have been crucial for the development of 
bioinorganic chemistry
? Biochemical isolation and purification procedures like 
chromatography and trace element analysis techniques like 
AAS have characterized otherwise conspicuous metals in 
living systems
? Elucidation of the mechanisms of organic, inorganic and 
biochemical reactions led to an understanding of biological 
functions of inorganic elements
? The contributions from physics, chemistry, medicine, 
toxicology etc have led to rapid progress of bioinorganic 
chemistry 
Bioinorganic Chemistry as a highly 
interdisciplinary research field