This document discusses calcium as a regulatory and signaling ion. It covers calcium facts, history, levels in plasma and cells. It describes calcium channels and binding proteins. The key roles of calcium include:
- Formation of bones and teeth through hydroxyapatite
- Acting as a cofactor for many enzymes through allosteric regulation
- Playing a role in blood coagulation through binding to clotting factors
- Mediating the relaxation and constriction of blood vessels
- Acting as a second messenger to trigger cellular responses through calcium binding proteins like calmodulin.