Calcium, or [katex]Ca^{2+}[/katex] ions are essential in the movement of organisms:
- In synapses, calcium ions regulate the transmission of impulses from different neurons.
- [katex]Ca^{2+}[/katex] also stimulate muscle contraction
- When an impulse reaches a muscle fibre, [katex]Ca^{2+}[/katex] is released from something called the sarcoplasmic reticulum.
- This calcium ion binds to troponin C, removing the tropomyosin from the myosin-binding sites.
- This allows actin-myosin cross-bridges to form when a muscle fibre contracts.
- [katex]Ca^{2+}[/katex] can help to regulate protein channels, which affects the permeability.
- Many enzymes are activated by [katex]Ca^{2+}[/katex].
- The presence of [katex]Ca^{2+}[/katex] is also necessary to aid blood clotting.
- It's known as a clotting factor.