Answer
Changes in calcium can be serious:
-Hypocalcemia (deficiency of blood calcium)
-muscle spasms, tremors (~6mg/dL)
-spasm of diaphragm (laryngospasm) and suffocation (~4mg/dL)
-with less calcium, sodium channels open more easily, sodium enters cell and excites neuron
-ECG changes, skin changes
-Hypercalcemia (excess of blood calcium)
-binding to cell surface makes sodium channels likely to open, depressing nervous system
-muscle weakness and sluggish reflexes, cardiac arrest (~12mg/dL)
Work Step by Step
Calcium Homeostasis pg 215
