Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Essential Minerals for Bone Health

Essential Minerals for Bone Health

The minerals contained in all of the food we consume are essential for our organ systems. However, certain essential minerals, such as calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, manganese, and fluoride, largely affect bone health.
Calcium and Phosphorus
Calcium is a critical component of bones, especially in the form of calcium phosphate and calcium carbonate. Since the body cannot make calcium, it must be obtained from the diet. However, calcium cannot be absorbed from the small intestine without...

Minerals

Minerals

Minerals are essential nutrients that the human body needs in small amounts to work properly. They play a vital role in many bodily functions, such as building strong bones and transmitting nerve impulses. Some minerals are needed for hormone production or to maintain a normal heartbeat. Major minerals include calcium, phosphorus, potassium, sulfur, sodium, chlorine, and magnesium, while trace minerals include iron, manganese, copper, iodine, zinc, cobalt, fluoride, and selenium.

The Bone Matrix

The Bone Matrix

Bone contains a relatively small number of cells entrenched in a matrix of collagen fibers that provide an adherent surface for inorganic salt crystals. Both components of the matrix, organic and inorganic, contribute to the unusual properties of bone. Without collagen, bones would be brittle and shatter easily. Without mineral crystals, bones would flex and provide little support. This can be observed by an experiment: when the minerals of a bone are dissolved by soaking the bone in acid or...

Skeleton and Calcium Homeostasis

Skeleton and Calcium Homeostasis

Calcium is not only the most abundant mineral in bone but also the most abundant mineral in the human body. Calcium ions are needed for bone mineralization, tooth health, heart rate regulation and strength of contraction, blood coagulation, the contraction of smooth and skeletal muscle cells, and the regulation of nerve impulse conduction. The average calcium level in the blood is about 10 mg/dL. When the body cannot maintain this level, a person will experience hypo or hypercalcemia.

Roles of Electrolytes: Calcium and Phosphate

Roles of Electrolytes: Calcium and Phosphate

Calcium and phosphate are essential electrolytes in the human body, with calcium being the most abundant mineral. Around 99% of the body's calcium is stored in the skeleton and teeth, forming a crystal lattice of mineral salts in combination with phosphates. Calcium plays crucial roles in various bodily functions such as blood clotting, neurotransmitter release, muscle tone maintenance, and nervous and muscle tissue excitability.
The calcium concentration in blood plasma is primarily regulated...

Acid Mine Drainage

Acid Mine Drainage

Mining activities that disturb sulfide-rich rocks, particularly those containing pyrite (FeS₂), initiate a cascade of geochemical and microbiological processes with serious environmental implications. When exposed to air and water, pyrite undergoes oxidation, releasing sulfate, ultimately forming sulfuric acid and mobilizing heavy metals into surrounding water systems. This phenomenon, known as acid mine drainage (AMD), results in low pH waters laden with toxic elements that threaten aquatic...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Ameloblastin Amphipathic Helix Motif mediates Ameloblast Polarization and Prismatic Enamel Formation via a RhoA Signaling Pathway.

Research square·2026

Same author

Treating White Spot Lesions and Non-Carious Cervical Lesions with Amelogenin Peptide-Based Hydrogel.

Biomimetics (Basel, Switzerland)·2025

Same author

Ameloblastin binding to biomimetic models of cell membranes - A continuum of intrinsic disorder.

Archives of oral biology·2024

Same author

Deletion within ameloblastin multitargeting domain reduces its interaction with artificial cell membrane.

Journal of structural biology·2024

Same author

Ameloblastin and its multifunctionality in amelogenesis: A review.

Matrix biology : journal of the International Society for Matrix Biology·2024

Same author

Amelogenin Peptide-Chitosan Hydrogel for Biomimetic Enamel Regrowth.

Frontiers in dental medicine·2023

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 21, 2026

Analysis of Minerals Produced by hFOB 1.19 and Saos-2 Cells Using Transmission Electron Microscopy with Energy Dispersive X-ray Microanalysis

Analysis of Minerals Produced by hFOB 1.19 and Saos-2 Cells Using Transmission Electron Microscopy with Energy Dispersive X-ray Microanalysis

Published on: June 24, 2018

Protein-mediated enamel mineralization.

Janet Moradian-Oldak¹

¹Center for Craniofacial Molecular Biology, Ostrow School of Dentistry, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA. joldak@usc.edu

Frontiers in Bioscience (Landmark Edition)

|June 2, 2012

Summary

Mammalian tooth enamel, a resilient bioceramic, offers insights into biomineralization and biomimetic material design. Its hierarchical structure and connection to dentin are key to its protective properties and potential for regrowth.

Area of Science:

Biomineralization
Material Science
Dental Biology

Background:

Mammalian enamel is a resilient nanocomposite bioceramic.
Its mechanical properties stem from hierarchical structure and dentin connection.

Purpose of the Study:

Overview of enamel structure, properties, and amelogenesis.
Emphasis on matrix proteins, proteinases, and their functions.
Discuss enamel's potential for regrowth.

Main Methods:

Review of current knowledge on enamel's biological and structural aspects.
Analysis of extracellular matrix proteins and proteinases.
Examination of structural chemistry and component functions.

Main Results:

More Related Videos

Calcium Carbonate Formation in the Presence of Biopolymeric Additives

Calcium Carbonate Formation in the Presence of Biopolymeric Additives

Published on: May 14, 2019

Comprehensive Characterization of Tissue Mineralization in an Ex Vivo Model

Comprehensive Characterization of Tissue Mineralization in an Ex Vivo Model

Published on: September 27, 2024

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 21, 2026

Analysis of Minerals Produced by hFOB 1.19 and Saos-2 Cells Using Transmission Electron Microscopy with Energy Dispersive X-ray Microanalysis

Analysis of Minerals Produced by hFOB 1.19 and Saos-2 Cells Using Transmission Electron Microscopy with Energy Dispersive X-ray Microanalysis

Published on: June 24, 2018

Calcium Carbonate Formation in the Presence of Biopolymeric Additives

Calcium Carbonate Formation in the Presence of Biopolymeric Additives

Published on: May 14, 2019

Comprehensive Characterization of Tissue Mineralization in an Ex Vivo Model

Comprehensive Characterization of Tissue Mineralization in an Ex Vivo Model

Published on: September 27, 2024

Enamel's hierarchical organization and dentin integration are crucial for its protective functions.
Understanding amelogenesis provides insights into biomineralization processes.
Enamel matrix components and their roles are detailed.

Conclusions:

Enamel serves as a model for organic matrix-mediated biomineralization.
Potential applications exist in biomimetic material development.
Further research into enamel regrowth potential is warranted.