Calcium magnesium phosphate granules: atomistic simulations explaining cell death.

1. A large number of invertebrates have cells that produce intracellular granules of amorphous calcium magnesium phosphates that are thought to act as ion stores or sites of metal detoxification. 2. The interatomic potentials and force constants have been calculated for these ions, and computer simulations of the crystal lattices have been used to determine the effects of ion substitutions on these lattice energies. 3. The results provide insights into the mechanisms of granule formation and the effects of ion substitutions on cell physiology.