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Interciencia

Print version ISSN 0378-1844

Abstract

AGUIRRE, César; CHAVEZ, Tztzqui; GARCIA, Pedro  and  RAYA, Juan Carlos. SILICON IN LIVE ORGANISMS. INCI [online]. 2007, vol.32, n.8, pp.504-509. ISSN 0378-1844.

The interest on the study of silicon (Si) effects on living organisms has recently increased. It is expected that this element should have some effect on living organisms, given the abundance of Si on the planet and the fact that it is believed to have existed at even higher concentrations at the beginnings of life. Si presence has proven to be of importance in some unicellular organisms such as diatoms and in other multicellular sea living organisms such as sponges, in addition to some Equisetaceae and other plants of relevance to man, such as rice, sugar cane and pumpkin. In the case of vascular plants, the absence of Si has been shown to increase their vulnerability to pathogens and insects. Si also confers plant resistance to biotic and abiotic stress. Even though a genetic base for absorption and accumulation of Si has been found, there is still much to explore on the role of Si on plants at the biochemical and physiological level. A role of Si has also been observed on animals, especially in some processes like bone formation and immune response. These are important reasons to consider Si among research topics in biology, to describe its participation in metabolic processes.

Keywords : Aluminio; Arroz; Diatomeas; Esponjas; Estrés Abiótico; Estrés Biótico; Nutrición Mineral; Silicio.

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