Biological Role
Chlorine plays a major biological role in most higher animal life as acqueous choride anions, as part of the electrolyte makeup of inter- and intra-cellular fluids. It has been noted that the ionic strength and composition of these fluids is often similar to sea water. In humans, chloride is most commonly obtained in the diet from table salt. Excess salt intake can have health implications. Iodine are needed by our bodies in trace amounts, particularly by the thyroid gland. Its definiciency can cause goitre. The other three halogens have no known biological role.
Read more about this topic: Halogen
Famous quotes containing the words biological and/or role:
“Biological possibility and desire are not the same as biological need. Women have childbearing equipment. For them to choose not to use the equipment is no more blocking what is instinctive than it is for a man who, muscles or no, chooses not to be a weightlifter.”
—Betty Rollin (b. 1936)
“If women’s role in life is limited solely to housewife/mother, it clearly ends when she can no longer bear more children and the children she has borne leave home.”
—Betty Friedan (20th century)