Calcium Calcium Calcium is a chemical element with symbol Ca and atomic number 20. As an alkaline earth metal, calcium is a reactive metal that forms a dark oxide-nitride layer when exposed to air. Its physical and chemical properties are most similar to its heavier homologues strontium and barium. It is the fifth most abundant element in Earth's crust and the third most abundant metal, after iron and aluminium. The most common calcium compound on Earth is calcium carbonate, found in limestone and the fossilised remnants of early sea life; gypsum, anhydrite, fluorite, and apatite are also sources of calcium. The
Nuclear calcium hypertrophy. In the immune system, nuclear calcium is required for human T cell activation. Plants use nuclear calcium to control symbiosis signaling. Nuclear calcium The concentration of calcium in the cell nucleus can increase in response to signals from the environment. Nuclear calcium is an evolutionary conserved potent regulator of gene expression that allows cells to undergo long-lasting adaptive responses. The 'Nuclear Calcium Hypothesis’ by Hilmar Bading describes nuclear calcium in neurons as an important signaling end-point in synapse-to-nucleus communication that activates gene expression programs needed for persistent adaptations. In the nervous system, nuclear calcium is required for long-term memory