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Our bodies surprise us with their secrets, which are continuously being revealed as more scientific research is conducted. This confirms that no matter how knowledgeable we become, there is yet much more to discover. In the past, it was difficult to convince people that their bodies contain chemical elements from the Periodic Table.
Chemical Elements In Human Body
Almost 99% of the human body mass consists of six main elements, namely: Oxygen, Carbon, Hydrogen, Nitrogen, Calcium, and Phosphorus; 65–90% of each cell in the body is composed of water, as such, oxygen and hydrogen are among the main constituents of the human body.
1. Oxygen (O) – 65%
In general, all living organisms depend on oxygen for survival. Oxygen is vital for breathing; it makes 20% of the air that we inhale. The human brain needs oxygen to perform its biological functions; if oxygen did not reach the brain, the body would die in a few minutes. Oxygen exists in our bodies mainly in the form of water; it represents 89% of the water weight.
2. Carbon (C) – 18.5%
Carbon has four bonding sites for other atoms, which makes it the key atom for organic chemistry. It can bond with four chemical elements, which makes it a fundamental atom in organic chemistry. Carbon chains are used to build carbohydrates, fats, nucleic acids, and proteins. breaking these chains provides the human body with energy.
3. Hydrogen (H) – 9.5%
Hydrogen is a main constituent of the DNA; as such, it exists in every molecule in all living cells. The amount of hydrogen present in the DNA is affected by the amount of water in the human body. The human body needs two-and-a-half liters of water daily, or according to its weight, to keep the DNA healthy and avoid diseases.
4. Nitrogen (N) – 3.2%
Nitrogen is the most important constituent of animal cells’ protoplasm, as well as the amino acids that form proteins, and the acids that form the DNA.
5. Calcium (Ca) – 1.5%
Calcium is an essential element in the human body, mostly concentrated in teeth and bones; calcium regulates protein and muscle contractions. It also preserves bones density and strength, and regulates heartbeats and blood clotting.
Even Gold is present in the human body. Chemical symbol Au; 0.2 mg of the human body weight. Gold is found in the blood; it plays a crucial role in protecting the body and preserving joints. It is also an essential element in transmitting electrical signals throughout the body.
6. Phosphorus (P) – 1.0%
Phosphorus is found in the human body in the form of phosphates, a phosphorus atom associated with four atoms of oxygen. The human skeleton and brain are reservoirs of phosphates, where it is found in the form of calcium phosphate. Phosphates are also present in the form of the Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) energy molecule, which releases 7.3 Kcal/mol of energy to perform different biological functions.
7. Potassium (K) – 0.4%
Red blood cells contain most of the potassium found in the body, followed by muscles, and then brain tissue. Potassium transfers nerve signals, regulates heartbeat, and reduces blood sugar. It also maintains bone health, increases its density, and prevents its fragility through maintaining the balance of acids that store calcium inside the body.
8. Sodium (Na) – 0.2%
Sodium functions similar to potassium in transmitting nerve signals between the cells; it also contributes to regulating water amounts in the body.
9. Chlorine (Cl) – 0.2%
Chlorine is an important negatively-charged ion (anion) used to maintain fluid balance.
10. Magnesium (Mg) – 0.1%
Magnesium is involved in over 300 metabolic reactions. It’s used to build the structure of muscles and bones and is an important cofactor in enzymatic reactions.
11. Sulphur (S) – 0.04%
Two amino acids include sulphur. The bonds sulfur forms help give proteins the shape they need to perform their functions.
Recommended Reading
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- Difference Between Virus and Bacteria
- Why Are Bees So Important For Our Planet?
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