Biological Chemistry - Berezov T. T., Korovkin B. F. 1998

Nervous Tissue
Chemical Composition of the Brain
Mineral Substances

The ions Na+, K+, Cu2+, Fe3+, Ca2+, Mg2+, and Мn2+ are distributed relatively evenly between the gray and White matter OF the Brain (Table 19.4). The phosphate content in white matter is higher than in Gray matter.

Class="center">Table 19.4. Content of major mineral components in human brain tissue and Blood Plasma

Component

Brain tissue, mmol/kg

Blood plasma, mmol/L

Na+

57

141

К+

96

5

Са2+

1

2,5

Cl-

37

101

HCO3-

12

28

As can be seen from Table 19.4, the concentrations of K+, Na+, and Cl- ions in the brain differ sharply from their concentrations in Body Fluids.

The quantitative ratio of inorganic anions and cations in brain tissue indicates an anion deficit. Calculations show that covering this anion deficit would require twice as much protein as is actually present in brain tissue. It is generally accepted that the remaining anion deficit is compensated for by Lipids. It is quite possible that the involvement of lipids in ion balance is one of the key Functions of the brain.



Last update: 06/08/2026

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