Calcium metal. Calcium is essential for living organisms, particularly in cell physiology where movement of the calcium ion into and out of the cytoplasm functions as a signal for many cellular processes. As a major material used in mineralization of bone, teeth and shells, calcium is the most abundant metal by mass in many animals. Calcium is reactive and relatively soft for a metal. Although harder than lead, it can be cut with a knife with difficulty. It is a silvery metallic element that can be extracted by electrolysis from a fused salt like calcium chloride. When exposed to the air, it rapidly forms a grey-white coating of calcium oxide and calcium nitride. | |
Licence : | Droits gérés |
Crédit: | Science Photo Library / Winters, Charles D. |
Taille de l’image : | 3390 px × 3976 px |
Model Release : | Non requis |
Property Release : | Non requis |
Restrictions : | - |