Silicon chemistry was initiated in 1823 by Berzelius who prepared elemental silicon. In many ways silicon was considered a typical opposite of carbon, although the two elements are closely related as to their electronic structure, both having four valence electrons. The properties of their compounds are, however, extreme ly different. Both form extended structures, but in different ways - carbon by covalent carbon-carbon bonds; silicon by polar silicon- -oxygen-silicon bonds. The complex carbon compounds are integral parts of all living matter, plants and animals. The corresponding silicon compounds build up a major part of dead matter, soils and minerals. As recently as twenty years ago the title of this Symposium, "BiOChemistry of Silicon", would have been considered as contradictio in adjecto. However, the development in the field has, during the past fifteen years, been overwhelming and has convinced us that silicon is a necessary element in the life processes, for animals as well as for plants. Interesting therapeutical uses have been suggested, but we have also become increasingly aware of serious occupational diseases - asbestosis and silicosis - and of possible cancerogenic effects. It is our hope that this volume will give some idea about various aspects of silicon compounds which were discussed during the Symposium.
Author(s): Nils Ingri (auth.), Gerd Bendz, Ingvar Lindqvist, Vera Runnström-Reio (eds.)
Series: Nobel Foundation Symposia 40
Edition: 1
Publisher: Springer US
Year: 1978
Language: English
Pages: 591
Tags: Biochemistry, general
Front Matter....Pages i-xi
Front Matter....Pages 1-1
Aqueous Silicic Acid, Silicates and Silicate Complexes....Pages 3-51
Hydrogen-Bonded Complexes of Silica with Organic Compounds....Pages 53-76
The Silicon-Nitrogen Bond....Pages 77-90
Front Matter....Pages 91-91
Effect of Interactions of Silicious Components and Organic Substances on Life in Soil — A Contribution to Plant Production....Pages 93-108
Isolation and Characterization of a Silicon-Organic Complex from Plants....Pages 109-127
Biodegradation of Silicon-Oxygen-Carbon- and Silicon-Carbon-Bonds by Bacteria — A Reflection on the Basic Mechanisms for the Biointegration of Silicon....Pages 129-147
Regulation of Metabolism by Silicate in Diatoms....Pages 149-176
Role of Silicon in Diatom Metabolism and Silicification....Pages 177-204
Front Matter....Pages 205-205
Significance and Functions of Silicon in Warm-Blooded Animals. Review and Outlook....Pages 207-230
Essentiality and Function of Silicon....Pages 231-253
Silicon Levels in Human Tissues....Pages 255-268
Silicon, Endocrine Balance and Mineral Metabolism (Calcium and Magnesium)....Pages 269-280
The Physiological Role of the Silicon and its AntiAtheromatous Action....Pages 281-296
Isolation and Characterization of a Characteristic Phosphato-Silicate from Human Lungs with Silicosis....Pages 297-307
Front Matter....Pages 309-309
Carcinogenic Potential of Silica Compounds....Pages 311-336
Interactions of Silica and Asbestos with Macrophages....Pages 337-356
Cellular Reactions with Silica....Pages 357-379
Old-New Problems of Silicotic Fibrosis....Pages 381-392
Front Matter....Pages 393-393
Biological Activity of Silatranes....Pages 395-433
Biological Activity of Nitrogen-Containing Organosilicon Compounds....Pages 435-445
Front Matter....Pages 393-393
Sila-Pharmaca....Pages 447-472
The Pharmacology of Silanes and Siloxanes....Pages 473-514
Biochemical Effects of 2, 6- cis -Diphenylhexamethylcyclotetrasiloxane in Man....Pages 515-520
Front Matter....Pages 521-521
Structural Aspects on Organosilicon Compounds....Pages 523-534
Analysis of Some Organosilicon Compounds in Biological Materal....Pages 535-558
Front Matter....Pages 559-559
Silicon in Biological Systems....Pages 561-576
Final Discussion....Pages 577-586
Back Matter....Pages 587-591
