Rocks & Minerals: Importance and Its Uses

Rocks & Minerals: Importance and Its Uses

"Rock or stone, a naturally occurring solid aggregate of minerals and/or mineraloids"  

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

    This week's discussion on our Nat Science subject was mainly about rocks, minerals and its uses and how it was formed. We all know that those things were what earth is purely made of, but in this post we will not define or further explain its properties, characteristics or scientifically research on the processes that rocks or minerals undergo. But I will give you a hint of how rocks and minerals affect our lives, its importance and its different uses.

   This table from http://library.thinkquest.org/J002289/uses.html would basically give you the idea of how each different types of rocks and some given minerals are used in our everyday life. 

   

The Importance of Rocks and Minerals Name Type of Rock Use Basalt Igneous Used in road building materials Calcite Mineral Used in cements and mortars and the production of lime Granite Igneous Used for buildings, monuments, and tombstones Marble Metamorphic Used in building, floors, tile in bathrooms Obsidian Igneous Used in making arrowheads and knives Pumice Igneous Used in scouring, scrubbing, and polishing materials Quartz Mineral Used in making glass, electrical components, and optical lenses Sandstone Sedimentary Used in the building industry for houses Slate Metamorphic Used for roofs, chalkboards, and patio walks

        Above were uses of rocks and minerals on basically constructions, buildings and things we use everyday. But this time i would give you an idea of how important minerals is to us humans especially for our health and growth.

"Mineral is a naturally occurring solid chemical substance formed through biogeochemical processes, having characteristic chemical composition, highly ordered atomic structure, and specific physical properties." 

From Wikipedia the free encyclopedia

         Until the end of 19th century very little information was available about the role of minerals in human diet. Now with the growing awareness about the effect of food on health, much research is being done on the subject and experts in this field are presenting facts that directly link many diseases like heart ailments, hypertension, general well being an good body metabolism to a balanced diet, of which minerals are an integral part. Since the body cannot make them on its own, they have to be supplied from the food. Some of the essential minerals are:

Calcium: It is the highest amount of mineral present in the human body. It is one of the keys to develop healthy bones and teeth. A small amount of calcium moves in and out of bones and circulates in the body. This is essential for proper functioning of nerve and muscles. It is also needed for formation of hair and finger nails. It helps blood clotting and maintains healthy body fluids and membranes. Calcium is particularly vital for growing children, pregnant women and for the elderly to prevent osteoporosis. Milk, cheese, yogurt, paneer, canned sardines, salmon(if eaten with bones), soya bean milk and tofu are rich sources of calcium. Some vegetables like broccoli, parsley, some fruits, almonds and sesame seeds contain small quantities of calcium. Vitamin D is needed for the absorption of calcium in the body.

Magnesium: There is about 28 mg of magnesium in the body. More than half of it is stored in the bones and the rest circulates in the blood or is stored in muscle tissues. It is needed for bone building and proper functioning of muscles. It is found in leafy vegetables, nuts, beans, whole grains and milk.

Phosphorus: The role of phosphorus is similar to that of calcium. In fact, it works along with calcium in developing strong bones and teeth. Like calcium, it is absorbed only with the presence of vitamin D. Another important function of phosphorus is that without it, vitamin B cannot be absorbed by the body. Most foods that contain calcium also contain Phosphorus. Other sources of this mineral are egg yolk, yeast, fish, meat, whole wheat and nuts.

Chromium: This works with insulin to metabolize glucose. Taking chromium supplements does not prevent diabetes. This mineral is present in brewers yeast, liver, chicken, mushrooms and wheat germ.

Copper: It is a component of many enzymes. Copper is essential for making red blood cells, skin pigments, some tissues and nerve fibers. It helps in the absorption of iron in the body.

Iron: Iron is necessary for making hemoglobin(in blood) which circulates oxygen through out the body. Iron deficiency may cause anemia which results in lack of energy. Liver, meat, eggs, sea food, whole grains, nuts, seeds and green vegetables are good sources of iron. But iron supplements should not be taken without a doctor�s advice as excessive iron may be harmful to health.

Fluorine:This helps maintain strong bones and teeth. It builds and strengthens the enamel in children. Ground water in some regions contain fluorine. Tea, especially green tea is a good source of fluorine.

Iodine: It is essential for correct functioning of thyroid gland and guards against goiter. Iodized salt, seafood, vegetables and fruits grown in iodide rich soil are great sources of iodine. Children born to mothers with iron deficiency may have mental retardation.

Manganese: This is a component of many enzymes and is needed for good metabolism, for the growth of bones and tendon formation. This mineral is present in green leafy vegetables, liver, whole grains and nuts.

Zinc: This mineral is involved in several enzyme systems and is a constituent of insulin. It is essential for growth, reproduction and supports immunity. Milk, yoghurt, eggs, wheat germ and nuts are good sources of zinc.

Selenium: Selenium acts with vitamin E to maintain healthy conditions of liver and is a good anti-oxidant. It is present in some nuts, seafood, whole grains, onion, garlic, mushroom and brown rice.

Potassium: This works with sodium to maintain correct fluid balance. It is essential for heart rhythm, nerve activity and the processing of carbohydrates. Dried fruits, beans, nuts, Soya products, avocados, bananas and many vegetables are also good sources of potassium.

Sodium: Sodium works with potassium to regulate fluid balance and promotes muscle function. But excess sodium is a major health hazard. Common salt is a major source of sodium.

Chloride: A component of common salt. It is needed for producing digestive juices.
Minerals like calcium, phosphorus and magnesium are needed in larger quantities and are stored in the body, these minerals are called as Macro minerals. Other minerals like iron, manganese, zinc, chromium, copper and selenium are needed and stored in very small amounts and are called Trace minerals.

(Article from http://food.sify.com/articles/Importance_of_minerals-166632)

Now we knew the importance of minerals in our body and what food contained that variety of minerals, we can now make sure that we have a balanced diet as well as keeping track on the nutrients and minerals we have in our body. :)

Until next week! :)

                                                                       Checked By:  

Professor Crisencio M. Paner