How did precambrian critters intake Calcium

[Mike Smith Cosmos]

While undertaking a small piece of research within the confines of the Earth Science Forum , I have been exploring the history of Calcium from Space Nebula to the White Cliffs of Dover. I hit a tricky bit when I was investigating how very early forms of Bacterial, Planktonic, Algae or other Precambrian forms of life obtained calcium from the actual presence of various calcium compounds found in the Oceans and Earths crust, particularly, but not necessarily only , within the period 4,500 MA to 550 MA ( MA Million years ago ).

 

In their wisdom , one of the advisors suggested I try the " Biology " forum. So here I am , asking the question.

 

 

. By what mechanism/s did they or do the current critters do it ?

Edited November 24, 2012 by Mike Smith Cosmos

[John Cuthber]

Is this the sort of thing yo mean?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ion_transporter

[Mike Smith Cosmos]

Is this the sort of thing yo mean?

http://en.wikipedia....Ion_transporter

 

.

Sounds a bit complicated, but if that's how things in biology occur I will have to take your word for it.

 

I was expecting something like my old 'O' level biology: with amoeba slithering across towards something and a (contractile vacuole ) or something moving toward the edge of the cell wall and opening around what was there, and then engulfing it. I must say I thought it was a bit too simplistic at the time.

 

I wonder how Ediacara Enigmata absorbed a calcium compound ? Through its top surface from the sea, or from its underbelly against the rock or turbid slime. ?

 

May be what you describe or at least what wikapedia describes occurred at a much earlier more primitive time when there were only rocks, before single cells developed ?

 

 

 

.

 

 

See also attachments .

 

1 Picture ( which can be enlarged by cursor on it , to see white calcium chondrules )of Small 1-2mm white calcium Chondrules contained in a metiorite like chondrite of some form of aluminium silicate

 

2. Paper as a mix of what you said and my 'O' level Biology !

 

.

 

Cytoplasmic calcium.pdf

Edited November 24, 2012 by Mike Smith Cosmos

[John Cuthber]

Most cells have ion transporters (or "pumps").

They can pull things like calcium from the water ( there's always some calcium dissolved in seawater) and then the cell can use it.

The cells that eventually became chalk used the calcium to make a skeleton of sorts.

 

But the ion transport systems are part of living cells so they couldn't have exited before there were some sort of living things in the sea.

[Mike Smith Cosmos]

Most cells have ion transporters (or "pumps").

They can pull things like calcium from the water ( there's always some calcium dissolved in seawater) and then the cell can use it.

The cells that eventually became chalk used the calcium to make a skeleton of sorts.

 

But the ion transport systems are part of living cells so they couldn't have exited before there were some sort of living things in the sea.

.

.

Can they take minerals on board other than through water ( sea water ). IE not dissolved chemicals but solid material ?

.

If NO , then all calcium would need to be dissolved calcium carbonate before ever it could be used by living organisms ? Is that so ?

 

My chemistry is not so hot. but if most calcium is calcium carbonate ( thats Ca C O3 Yes ?)

Then there must be a lot of CARBON tied up in "them their Cliffs "

 

..

Edited November 25, 2012 by Mike Smith Cosmos

[John Cuthber]

SFAIK they only take on nutrients from solution, but it hardly matters.

If they are sat on a rock made of calcium carbonate or silicate and they take up the calcium then the rock will dissolve.

And yes, there's a lot of carbon there.

People have proposed this as a way to scrub CO2 from the air.

[Mike Smith Cosmos]

SFAIK they only take on nutrients from solution, but it hardly matters.

If they are sat on a rock made of calcium carbonate or silicate and they take up the calcium then the rock will dissolve.

And yes, there's a lot of carbon there.

People have proposed this as a way to scrub CO2 from the air.

 

.

 

. Interesting !

 

.By the way what's SFAIK ?

Do you mean the calcium will dissolve in internal juices ?

If things go in solid. How do they get in? Through a mouth of some sort ?

I've heard the early Cambrian creatures were tubes with teeth !

 

.

[John Cuthber]

SFAIK = So far as I know.

The things that became chalk were tiny.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coccolithophores

[Mike Smith Cosmos]

SFAIK = So far as I know.

The things that became chalk were tiny.

http://en.wikipedia....occolithophores

 

.I suppose this still leaves me with a Gap . The trace of Calcium from :

 

The fall to earth of meteorite (chondrite) containing:-

 

. calcium chondrules scattered about the very early mantle and crust ..........to ............Coccoliths (micro nanoplankton).

 

. A mere 4,000, million years .

 

.What was happening to calcium over that time ?

.

Edited November 26, 2012 by Mike Smith Cosmos

[Mike Smith Cosmos]

Guess, I Had Better Go Look See !