Biochemistry - The Chemical Reactions of Living Cells, Volume 1 - D. Metzler 1980

The Molecules We Are Made Of
Some Small Molecules and Ions
Selective Ion Accumulation

Living organisms are often capable of concentrating many elements present in Water by a factor of 10⁴ or more. Even marine species concentrate almost all elements, with the exception of sodium and chlorine. Frequently, a single species or group of organisms exhibits a special affinity for a specific element, acting as a bioaccumulator [101]. For instance, clubmosses accumulate Al, brown Algae and Coelenterates accumulate As; B is accumulated in brown algae and Sponges; F is concentrated in vertebrates (as part of the Skeleton); and certain Bacteria, plankton, and horsetails accumulate Fe. Silicon is accumulated by horsetails, diatoms, certain Protozoans, and sponges;

brown algae use Sr instead of Ca; V is accumulated by certain species of ascidians, Y by ferns, and Zn by coelenterates. Species are also known that specifically accumulate Ba, Co, Li, Ni, Ti, Se, La, and Nd.

Mammalian Tissues are also frequently capable of concentrating specific ions. Thus, Al, As, I, and V accumulate in Hair and Nails; Cd, Hg, and Mn in the Kidneys; Sn in intestinal tissues; Zn and Sr in the Prostate Gland; Cu in the Brain; and B is accumulated in the ocular mucosa [101].

Within Cells, the concentration of inorganic ions varies significantly across different Organelles and compartments. For example, the copper concentration in bovine Heart tissue is 10–15 times lower than in the Cell/35.html">Mitochondria [105].