There are approximately 60 chemical elements in the human body. About 99% of the mass of the human body is
composed of six major elements: oxygen, hydrogen, carbon, nitrogen, calcium,
and phosphorus.
 |
| There are approximately 60 chemical elements in the human body. |
How
Many Chemical Elements are in the Human Body?
Chemical Elements in the Human Body
The human
body contains many chemical elements that are involved in the structure of the
body's various tissues and organs such as: bones, teeth, hair, blood, DNA, and
others.
Therefore, it is necessary to get acquainted with these
chemical elements and their importance and make sure to provide the body with
its need for it to be able to perform its vital functions to the fullest
extent.
The human body is chemically composed mainly of water and
organic substances, such as: carbohydrates, proteins, fats, and nucleic acids,
in addition to inorganic substances such as: calcium, sodium, phosphorous, and
others.
Water is the main component
of the human body
Water is the most abundant chemical ingredient in the human
body, as it accounts for about 60% of the body weight, and makes up 65-90% of
every cell in the body.
Water is involved in the synthesis of fluids that are outside
the cells, such as interstitial fluid, blood plasma, cerebrospinal fluid, and
lymph.
One of the most important advantages of water is that it is a
good solvent for many substances.
Organic Compounds Essential
to Human Functioning
The human body consists of the following organic substances:
Lipids: Lipid is a macromolecule that contains hydrocarbons and
forms the building blocks of the structure and function of living cells. The
human body contains a high percentage of sodium, including fats, which provide
a buffer of energy, act as an insulating material, and help in the absorption
of shocks, phospholipids, and steroids that are used as a key component in
the synthesis of cell membranes.
Proteins: Protein is an essential component in the human body. It is
included in the composition of cell membranes, muscles, hair and nails. Enzymes
that stimulate chemical reactions are formed in the body.
Collagen protein is involved in the composition of the skin,
bones, tendons and ligaments.
Carbohydrates: Carbohydrates provide the body with energy, which is either
found in the form of simple sugars such as glucose circulating in the
bloodstream, or they are stored in the liver and muscles in the form of
glycogen, although carbohydrates do not constitute more than about 1% of the
body weight.
Nucleic Acids: The human body contains two types of nucleic acids, the
deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), which is the genetic material responsible for
transmitting the genetic characteristics from parents to children. And
ribonucleic acid (RNA), which helps to carry out encoded instructions carried
by DNA.
Inorganic Compounds
Essential to Human Functioning
The human body contains inorganic components and they are the
following chemical elements:
Oxygen: oxygen is the most abundant element in the human body by mass;
It is between 61-65% of the mass of the human body, and is necessary for the
cellular respiration process.
Carbon: Carbon is the second most abundant element in the human
body. It constitutes 18% of the body weight and is the main component of all
the organic materials that make up the body.
Hydrogen: Hydrogen makes up 10% of the mass of the human body, and it
is an important element because it enters in the composition of the water
necessary to soften the organs and joints, regulate the body temperature, to
transport food and get rid of waste, and it is also necessary to produce energy
and use it in the body.
Nitrogen: The nitrogen component constitutes approximately 3% of the
mass of the human body, and is included in the synthesis of proteins and
nucleic acids.
Calcium: Calcium makes up 1.5% of the human body weight and is the
most abundant mineral in the body. It is necessary for building bones and
teeth, and for giving the structural system rigidity and strength, and it has a
major role in muscle contraction and protein regulation.
Therefore, it is advised to eat meals that contain an
adequate amount of calcium, otherwise, calcium will be withdrawn from the bones
so that the body can obtain its calcium needs.
Phosphorus: Phosphorous makes up approximately 1.2-1.5% of the human
body weight, is found in the bones and teeth, and includes the structure of the
primary energy molecule in the body adenosine triphosphate (ATP).
Potassium: Potassium is 0.2-0.35% of the adult human body and is an
essential electrolyte for all cells of the body and has a role in the
transmission of nerve fluid and muscle contraction.
Sulfur: Sulfur is 0.20-0.25% of the human body, an important
component of its role in cellular respiration as it enables cells to use
oxygen.
Sulfur is an essential component of two types of amino acids
that give proteins their specific shape.
It is also an essential component of the keratin protein,
which is included in the composition of human hair, skin and nails.
Sodium: Sodium forms from 0.10-0.15% of the mass of the human body
and is an essential component in cellular fluids and has a role in regulating
fluid volume, blood pressure and body temperature, in addition to its role in
the transmission of nerve fluid.
Magnesium: Magnesium accounts for about 0.05% of the human body’s
weight. Almost half of it is found in the bones. The body needs it to perform
more than 300 chemical reactions from metabolic reactions.
Magnesium has a role in the regulation of the heartbeat,
blood pressure, and blood sugar level, and is necessary to support the
functions of the immune system, muscles, and nerves, and is used in the
manufacture of proteins.
Iron: it accounts for 0.006% of the human
body and enters into the formation of hemoglobin; the oxygen-transporting
molecule in the blood.
Chlorine: Chlorine is found in the human body in the form of a
negative ion. It forms (0.15%) of the human body and is necessary to maintain
fluid balance in the body.
Fluorine: (0.0037%) of the human body and is found in bones and teeth,
and has a role in fighting tooth decay.
Iodine: Iodine (0.000016%) of the human body
is necessary to make thyroid hormone, and its deficiency leads to its
enlargement and brain damage.
Zinc: It forms (0.0032%) of the human body and has a role in the
regulation of genes, through its presence in many proteins in the form of a
structure called zinc fingers, and its deficiency leads to stunting.
Copper: It forms (0.0001%) of the human body and has a role in many
biological reactions, which is necessary to enable iron to perform its
functions in the body.
Selenium: It forms (0.000019%) of the human body and is necessary for
making some enzymes such as antioxidants.
Chromium: It forms (0.0000024%) of the human body and has a role in
regulating the level of sugar in the body.
Manganese: It forms (0.000017%) of the human body and is necessary to make
some enzymes, especially those that protect mitochondria in the cells of the
body.
Molybdenum: It forms (0.000013%) of the human body and has a role in
converting sulfur into a form that can be used in the human body.
Cobalt: It forms (0.0000021%) of the human body and is found in
Vitamin B12 necessary to regulate DNA and make protein.