Biochemical functions of magnesium.

Magnesium is required by many enzymes as a co-factor and may couple primarily with the enzyme or the substrate in different reactions. Free cytosolic magnesium affects cell energy, the action of various hormones on target cells, protein synthesis and cellular electrolyte content. Magnesium enters the cell by a process of facilitated diffusion requiring a transporter, and leaves it by an active process utilizing adenosine triphosphate.