anhydride hydrolysis,
armor,
armor-piercing bullets,
ATP,
ATP-binding groove,
bacteria,
Biochemistry (journal),
biomineralization,
carbon,
chemical energy,
Chile,
China,
diet,
DNA replication,
Earth’s crust,
Energy,
energy metabolism,
entropy,
Evolution,
genetic information,
gun,
human body,
industry,
Intelligent Design,
kinetic energy,
Max Planck Institute of Biophysics,
melting point,
metal,
molecular machines,
molybdate,
molybdenum,
MoSto system,
motility,
nitrogen,
PNAS,
protein,
steel,
Steffen Brünle,
sulfur,
United States
Molybdenum comprises the second smallest percentage of mass in a normal human body, but that trace amount serves a vital function in several key enzymes. Chemical element molybdenum, affectionately called “moly” by manufacturers, is classified as a refractory metal (i.e., able to retain its shape when heated), bearing similarities to lead. It was only declared a chemical element in 1790 with the abbreviation Mo. Because of its very high melting point, it is prized in industry for its ability to toughen steel and armor. Molybdenum’s abundance in Earth’s crust is estimated at 1.2 ppm, mined mostly in China, the United States, and Chile (molybdenum.com). An Essential Element Why would soft, squishy biology need such a hard substance? The answer is that without it, life would not be possible. A 2009…