Elements in the Human Body.docVIP

Elements in the Human Body 99% of the mass of the human body is made up of only six elements: oxygen, carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, calcium, and phosphorus. Every organic molecule contains carbon. Since 65-90% of each body cell consists of water (by weight), it isnt surprising that oxygen and hydrogen are major components of the body. Heres is a look at the major elements in the body and what these elements do. Oxygen Carbon Hydrogen Nitrogen Calcium Phosphorus Potassium Sodium Chlorine Magnesium Sulfur Oxygen 65% of Body Weight By Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D., A Guide Oxygen is present in water and other compounds. 1 of 11 Gallery Index Prev Next Liquid oxygen in an unsilvered dewar flask. Liquid oxygen is blue. Warwick Hillier, Australia National University, Canberra Oxygen is necessary for respiration. You will find this element in the lungs, since about 20% of the air you breathe is oxygen. Carbon 18.6% of Body Weight By Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D., A Guide Carbon is found in every organic molecule in the body. 2 of 11 Gallery Index Prev Next Photograph of graphite, one of the forms of elemental carbon. U.S. Geological Survey Carbon is ingested in food that is eaten and breathed in as a component of air. It is found in the lungs as a waste product of respiration, carbon dioxide. Hydrogen 9.7% of Body Weight By Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D., A Guide Hydrogen is a component of the water molecules in the body, as well as most other compounds. 3 of 11 Gallery Index Prev Next NGC 604, a region of ionized hydrogen in the Triangulum Galaxy. Nitrogen 3.2% of Body Weight By Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D., A Guide Nitrogen is a component of proteins, nucleic acids, and other organic compounds. 4 of 11 Gallery Index Prev Next Image of solid, liquid, and gaseous nitrogen. chemdude1, YouT Nitrogen gas is found in the lungs, since most of the air you breathe consists of this element. Calcium 1.8% of Body Weight By Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D., A Guide Calcium is