title: Introduction to silicon chemistry and biochemistry.
abstract: An outline of the chemistry of silicon is given, stressing the reactions in water. In biological systems the metabolism of silicon is little known but much silica is deposited in a variety of amorphous forms. The differences between this biological silica and mineral silicas and silicates, which can be health hazards, are indicated. However both manufactured mineral phase and molecules containing silica can be valuable in medicine.
mesh_terms: D003460:Crystallization; D005898:Glass; D006868:Hydrolysis; D007700:Kinetics; D008968:Molecular Conformation; D012825:Silicon / Q000378:metabolism; D012822:Silicon Dioxide; D014867:Water; D014961:X-Ray Diffraction
chemical_list: D014867:Water; D012822:Silicon Dioxide; D012825:Silicon