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

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...

Feedback Regulation of Calcium Concentration

Feedback Regulation of Calcium Concentration

Calcium is an essential signaling molecule required for various cellular functions. Calcium pumps and ion channels on cell and organellar membranes, such as those on the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), regulate calcium concentrations inside the cell. They remain closed, keeping the cytosolic calcium levels low at a resting state.
Various transmembrane receptors, such as G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), elicit a response to extracellular signals by increasing cytosolic calcium. Activated GPCRs...

Antiepileptic Drugs: Calcium Channel Blockers

Antiepileptic Drugs: Calcium Channel Blockers

Calcium channel blockers, a class of antiepileptic drugs, regulate the flow of calcium ions within neurons.
Calcium channel blockers exert their antiepileptic effects by targeting T-type calcium channels, which are integral to transmitting nerve signals in the central nervous system. These channels allow the passage of calcium ions, which are vital for neuronal communication. By inhibiting T-type calcium channels, calcium channel blockers effectively reduce the release of neurotransmitters and...

Antianginal Drugs: Calcium Channel Blockers and Ranolazine

Antianginal Drugs: Calcium Channel Blockers and Ranolazine

Angina pectoris, a primary symptom of ischemic heart disease, requires careful pharmacological interventions. In this context, calcium channel blockers (CCBs) and ranolazine have emerged as crucial pharmacotherapeutic agents, providing deep insights into the complexities of angina management.
CCBs, a diverse class that includes dihydropyridines (nifedipine) and diphenylalkylamines (verapamil and diltiazem), exert their effect by blocking calcium channels in cardiac and smooth muscle cells. This...

Antihypertensive Drugs: Action of Calcium Channel Blockers

Antihypertensive Drugs: Action of Calcium Channel Blockers

Calcium ions are essential to contract smooth muscle cells in blood vessels. They enter these cells through voltage-dependent calcium channels, specifically L-type calcium channels in the cell membrane. These L-type calcium channels are integral to the excitation-contraction coupling process in smooth muscle. When a stimulus is received by smooth muscle cells, their membrane depolarizes. This alteration in membrane potential instigates the opening of L-type calcium channels. As a result,...

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by

Same author

Approach to Personalizing the Treatment of Osteoporosis.

The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism·2026

Same author

Understanding the Biological Evidence and Emerging Research Gaps in Nutrition That Impact the Health of School-Aged Children-a Report from the "Biomarkers of Nutrition for Development: Knowledge Indicating Dietary Sufficiency (BOND-KIDS)" Project Working Group 1.

The Journal of nutrition·2026

Same author

Examining widely held propositions on human dietary protein needs and benefits: a critical review of the science that shapes both the data and our understanding of an essential macronutrient.

Critical reviews in food science and nutrition·2026

Same author

Sodium Retention and Distribution in Growing and Adult Rodents Fed High and Low Salt Diets.

Nutrients·2026

Same author

Effect of soluble corn fiber supplementation for 1 year on bone mass in children and adolescents: results from the MetA-Bone randomized clinical trial.

The American journal of clinical nutrition·2026

Same author

Measurement of sodium in soft tissue and bone in a sodium diet intervention study using<i>in vivo</i>neutron activation analysis.

Physiological measurement·2025

Same journal

The Relationship Among Food Environment Types, Diet, and Nutrition Outcomes in Women, Children, and Adolescents from Low- and Lower-Middle-Income countries: A Systematic Review.

Advances in nutrition (Bethesda, Md.)·2026

Same journal

Strengthening Policy Coherence to Link Healthy Hydration with Water Security in the United States.

Advances in nutrition (Bethesda, Md.)·2026

Same journal

Impact of Milk Fat Globule Membrane and its Associated Polar Lipids on Markers of Cardiometabolic Disease and Cognitive Function: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials in Adults.

Advances in nutrition (Bethesda, Md.)·2026

Same journal

The role of micronutrient deficiencies in nutritional anemia beyond iron: An expert perspective on the scope and strength of the current evidence.

Advances in nutrition (Bethesda, Md.)·2026

Same journal

Time to stop focusing on catch-up growth.

Advances in nutrition (Bethesda, Md.)·2026

Same journal

Developing Sodium Reduction Strategy: Context-Specific Frameworks Targeting Main Dietary Sources.

Advances in nutrition (Bethesda, Md.)·2026

See all related articles

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 27, 2026

Single-Cell Calcium Imaging for Studying the Activation of Calcium Ion Channels

Single-Cell Calcium Imaging for Studying the Activation of Calcium Ion Channels

Published on: December 13, 2024

Calcium.

Connie M Weaver¹, Munro Peacock²

¹Department of Nutrition Science, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN.

Advances in Nutrition (Bethesda, Md.)

|March 28, 2019

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Calcium is vital for bone strength and bodily functions, with its levels tightly regulated by intestinal absorption, kidney reabsorption, and bone turnover. Hormones like parathyroid hormone and vitamin D maintain calcium balance in response to serum levels.

More Related Videos

Forward Genetic Screen Using Transgenic Calcium Reporter Aequorin to Identify Novel Targets in Calcium Signaling

Forward Genetic Screen Using Transgenic Calcium Reporter Aequorin to Identify Novel Targets in Calcium Signaling

Published on: August 1, 2020

Monitoring Dynamic Changes In Mitochondrial Calcium Levels During Apoptosis Using A Genetically Encoded Calcium Sensor

Monitoring Dynamic Changes In Mitochondrial Calcium Levels During Apoptosis Using A Genetically Encoded Calcium Sensor

Published on: April 1, 2011

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jan 27, 2026

Single-Cell Calcium Imaging for Studying the Activation of Calcium Ion Channels

Single-Cell Calcium Imaging for Studying the Activation of Calcium Ion Channels

Published on: December 13, 2024

Forward Genetic Screen Using Transgenic Calcium Reporter Aequorin to Identify Novel Targets in Calcium Signaling

Forward Genetic Screen Using Transgenic Calcium Reporter Aequorin to Identify Novel Targets in Calcium Signaling

Published on: August 1, 2020

Monitoring Dynamic Changes In Mitochondrial Calcium Levels During Apoptosis Using A Genetically Encoded Calcium Sensor

Monitoring Dynamic Changes In Mitochondrial Calcium Levels During Apoptosis Using A Genetically Encoded Calcium Sensor

Published on: April 1, 2011

Area of Science:

Biochemistry
Physiology
Endocrinology

Background:

Calcium is the fifth most abundant element in the body, crucial for skeletal integrity and maintaining serum calcium concentrations.
Over 99% of the body's calcium is stored in the skeleton as hydroxyapatite, a calcium phosphate molecule.
Calcium is essential for numerous physiological functions beyond skeletal support.

Purpose of the Study:

To summarize the essential role of calcium in the human body.
To outline the key systems regulating calcium metabolism.
To describe the hormonal control of calcium homeostasis.

Main Methods:

Review of calcium's physiological roles and metabolic pathways.
Description of the three primary calcium transport systems: intestinal absorption, renal reabsorption, and bone turnover.
Explanation of the hormonal regulation involving parathyroid hormone and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D.

Main Results:

Calcium metabolism is intricately regulated by intestinal absorption, renal reabsorption, and bone turnover.
A sophisticated hormonal system, including parathyroid hormone and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D, maintains calcium homeostasis.
The calcium-sensing receptor plays a role in detecting serum ionized calcium levels.

Conclusions:

Calcium is fundamental for skeletal health and systemic physiological processes.
The body employs a complex interplay of transport systems and hormonal signals to maintain calcium balance.
Understanding calcium regulation is key to addressing related health conditions.