Biological Functions Of Halogens
Halogen elements and their compounds have many uses in our lives, both in industry and household. For example, chlorine gas is used to kill germs contained in a swimming pool. In addition, chlorine gas and its compounds are also used in the pulp and paper industry as bleach.
Halogens and its compounds, in addition to being used in industry and household, also have a biological function for the human body.
What are the biological benefits of halogens for the human body? Here's the explanation!
Fluorine
Fluorine is one of the highly needed micro-minerals in the body. One of its functions is to strengthen the enamel layer of the tooth. Tooth enamel is the outermost layer of the tooth which is very prone to perforate and rot. This is due to the germs and bacteria found in the teeth. These germs will be more and more if we rarely brush our teeth.
Usually, in toothpaste will be added fluoride ions that serve to strengthen teeth and prevent dental caries disease.
Why can fluorine strengthen tooth enamel?
Fluoride ions in very low concentrations, which are about 1ppm, can alter the soft part of the tooth, which contains a hydroxyapatite compound (Ca5 (PO4) 3 (OH)), into a hard material of fluorapatite (Ca5 (PO4) 3F.
This new material makes the teeth become stronger and resistant to the dangers of cavities.
On the other hand, besides beneficial, fluorine is also a very toxic substance, especially if the concentration is high. The maximum amount of fluorine consumption is only 1 ppm.
At 2 ppm concentration, fluorine can cause tooth color to turn brownish. Whereas if the concentration has reached 50 ppm, the result can be very dangerous for humans and can cause death.
Fluoride ions are a dangerous competitor for hydroxide ions in enzyme reactions.
Therefore, it is advisable to use toothpaste that does not contain fluoride. It aims to prevent the occurrence of health problems due to fluoride ions.
Sometimes, fluoride ions are also present in the clean water source we use for drinking. To prevent the danger of fluoride ions for the body, calcium ion is usually added into the water. The goal is to form a calcium fluoride compound that is not soluble in water so it will settle at the bottom of the container.
Chlorine
Chloride ion has a function to keep the ion balance in our body. Chloride ions are negatively charged ions. Chloride ions can balance the positive ions present in our bodies such as sodium and potassium.
Chloride ions can be obtained from the kitchen salt used as cooking spices.
However, many chlorine-containing compounds are toxic for the human. Especially if the compound is an organochlorine such as DDT and PCB.
Bromine
Bromine only needs the body in small amounts, but it has a very important role, especially in some enzymes. Potassium bromide has been used extensively in the world of medicine as a sedative and as an anticonvulsant to treat epilepsy patients.
Iodine
Iodine is an essential element needed by the thyroid gland. About 75 percent of the amount of iodine present in the body can be found in this gland. Iodine plays a role in the synthesis of thyroid hormones and triiodothyronine. Both of these hormones are growth hormones in humans.
In addition to functioning as a growth hormone, these two hormones also serve to maintain the health of the male and female reproductive system.
Iodine deficiency can cause goiter. Mumps is a disease that causes the enlargement of the thyroid gland in the neck. To prevent this disease, the salt used for cooking is coupled with potassium iodide. This salt is called iodized salt.
Note:All picture taken from wikimediacommons.org
Halogens and its compounds, in addition to being used in industry and household, also have a biological function for the human body.
What are the biological benefits of halogens for the human body? Here's the explanation!
Fluorine
Fluorine is one of the highly needed micro-minerals in the body. One of its functions is to strengthen the enamel layer of the tooth. Tooth enamel is the outermost layer of the tooth which is very prone to perforate and rot. This is due to the germs and bacteria found in the teeth. These germs will be more and more if we rarely brush our teeth.
Usually, in toothpaste will be added fluoride ions that serve to strengthen teeth and prevent dental caries disease.
Why can fluorine strengthen tooth enamel?
Fluoride ions in very low concentrations, which are about 1ppm, can alter the soft part of the tooth, which contains a hydroxyapatite compound (Ca5 (PO4) 3 (OH)), into a hard material of fluorapatite (Ca5 (PO4) 3F.
This new material makes the teeth become stronger and resistant to the dangers of cavities.
On the other hand, besides beneficial, fluorine is also a very toxic substance, especially if the concentration is high. The maximum amount of fluorine consumption is only 1 ppm.
At 2 ppm concentration, fluorine can cause tooth color to turn brownish. Whereas if the concentration has reached 50 ppm, the result can be very dangerous for humans and can cause death.
Fluoride ions are a dangerous competitor for hydroxide ions in enzyme reactions.
Therefore, it is advisable to use toothpaste that does not contain fluoride. It aims to prevent the occurrence of health problems due to fluoride ions.
Sometimes, fluoride ions are also present in the clean water source we use for drinking. To prevent the danger of fluoride ions for the body, calcium ion is usually added into the water. The goal is to form a calcium fluoride compound that is not soluble in water so it will settle at the bottom of the container.
Chlorine
Chloride ion has a function to keep the ion balance in our body. Chloride ions are negatively charged ions. Chloride ions can balance the positive ions present in our bodies such as sodium and potassium.
Chloride ions can be obtained from the kitchen salt used as cooking spices.
However, many chlorine-containing compounds are toxic for the human. Especially if the compound is an organochlorine such as DDT and PCB.
Bromine
Bromine only needs the body in small amounts, but it has a very important role, especially in some enzymes. Potassium bromide has been used extensively in the world of medicine as a sedative and as an anticonvulsant to treat epilepsy patients.
Iodine
Iodine is an essential element needed by the thyroid gland. About 75 percent of the amount of iodine present in the body can be found in this gland. Iodine plays a role in the synthesis of thyroid hormones and triiodothyronine. Both of these hormones are growth hormones in humans.
In addition to functioning as a growth hormone, these two hormones also serve to maintain the health of the male and female reproductive system.
Iodine deficiency can cause goiter. Mumps is a disease that causes the enlargement of the thyroid gland in the neck. To prevent this disease, the salt used for cooking is coupled with potassium iodide. This salt is called iodized salt.
Note:All picture taken from wikimediacommons.org
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