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Biological Functions of Silicon, Selenium, and Glutathione Peroxidase (Gsh-Px) Explained in Terms of Semiconduction

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Trace Elements in Man and Animals 6

Abstract

Semiconduction makes the basis for control, amplification, and transformation of electric currents in electronics. In this paper it is suggested that functions of some common trace elements in a living system might also be understood in terms of semiconduction. Semiconduction was introduced in biology by Albert Szent-Györgyi in the forties but the idea was generally rejected. Since that time the knowledge has increased fundamentally. Proteins do conduct electricity at least in small distances and certain biopolymers and polycyclic aromatic compounds reveal semiconductor properties.

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References

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Huhtamäki Oy Pharmaceuticals, Clin. Research, P.O.Box 325, 00101, Helsinki, Finland

    J. Parantainen, S. Sankari & F. Atroshi

  2. Depts Biochem., Pharmacol., Toxicol., Coll. Vet. Med, P.O.Box 6, Helsinki, Finland

    J. Parantainen, S. Sankari & F. Atroshi

Authors
  1. J. Parantainen
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  2. S. Sankari
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  3. F. Atroshi
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. University of California, Davis, Davis, California, USA

    Lucille S. Hurley , Carl L. Keen , Bo Lönnerdal  & Robert B. Rucker , ,  & 

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© 1988 Plenum Press, New York

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Parantainen, J., Sankari, S., Atroshi, F. (1988). Biological Functions of Silicon, Selenium, and Glutathione Peroxidase (Gsh-Px) Explained in Terms of Semiconduction. In: Hurley, L.S., Keen, C.L., Lönnerdal, B., Rucker, R.B. (eds) Trace Elements in Man and Animals 6. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-0723-5_119

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-0723-5_119

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4612-8050-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4613-0723-5

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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