Which of the following is true of calcium?

Found in the amino acids cysteine and methionine

Used to make the phosphate tail of nucleotides in nucleic acids

Essential for muscle contraction

Typically obtained through a diet of foods that contain protein, such as meat, beans, and nuts

1 answer

The statement that is true of calcium is:

Essential for muscle contraction.

Calcium plays a crucial role in muscle contraction by facilitating the interaction between actin and myosin, the proteins involved in muscle movement.

The other statements are not accurate:

  • Calcium is not found in the amino acids cysteine and methionine.
  • Calcium is not used to make the phosphate tail of nucleotides; this is done by phosphate groups, which contain phosphorus, not calcium.
  • While calcium can be found in some foods, it is typically obtained from dairy products, leafy greens, and fortified foods rather than specifically from protein-rich foods like meat, beans, and nuts.