For me it is the fact that our blood contains iron. I earlier used to believe the word stood for some 'organic element' since I couldn't accept we had metal flowing through our supposed carbon-based bodies, till I realized that is where the taste and smell of blood comes from.

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[โ€“] 54 points 3 years ago* (last edited 3 years ago) (2 children)

From Wikipedia on bones:

Bone matrix is 90 to 95% composed of elastic collagen fibers, also known as ossein,[5] and the remainder is ground substance.[6] The elasticity of collagen improves fracture resistance.[7] The matrix is hardened by the binding of inorganic mineral salt, calcium phosphate, in a chemical arrangement known as bone mineral, a form of calcium apatite.[9]

So the statement is a bit faulty, not only because of the relative low amount of calcium in our bones, but also because it appears as a mineral. We distinguish between salts and metals because of their chemical properties being quite different (solubility, reflectiveness, electrical conductivity, maleability and so on).

Edit: I do realize the point of the comment was not to be entirely factual, so if I am allowed as well I would say science is pretty metal.

  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 4 child comments
  • [โ€“] 12 points 3 years ago (1 child)

    We also distinguish between metals and non-metals by field of study. Ask an astronomer which elements are metals sometime.

  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 2 child comments
  • [โ€“] 3 points 3 years ago (1 child)

    How so? I thought they were mostly determined by their positions in the table of periodic elements.

  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 2 child comments
  • [โ€“] 14 points 3 years ago* (1 child)

    Lol, they are. In astronomy anything heavier than Helium. is considered a metal.

    https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metallicity

  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 2 child comments
  • [โ€“] 10 points 3 years ago

    Well TIL. It makes sense that from an astronomical perspective the use of metal as a qualitative distinction of material properties makes less sense than as a distinction of mass.

  • source
  • parent