Download Chemistry of our world

Human Body
Part B – Elements of the Body
 96%
 The
of the body consists of only 4 elements
other 4% consists of elements in trace
amounts. These elements are still crucial to
the proper function of the body.

1. Oxygen – 61-65% of the mass of the human
body.


Uses – Cellular Respiration
2. Carbon – 18% of the human body
Basic element needed for all organic molecules
Uses – Proteins, Fats, Carbohydrates, nucleic acids all
contain Carbon
 Uses – Also Carbon Dioxide is released in Cellular
Respiration



3. Hydrogen – 10% of the human body


Uses – exists mostly in the form of water; transports
nutrients, removes wastes, regulates body
temperature, lubricates joints and organs
4. Nitrogen – 3% of the human body

Uses – Proteins, nucleic acids, and other organic
materials contain nitrogen; Also found in the lungs.

5. Calcium – 1.5% of the human body


6. Phosphorous – 1.2-1.5% of the body


Uses – part of amino acids and proteins; helps form skin, hair,
and nails. Needed for cellular respiration as well.
9. Sodium - .1-.15% of the body


Uses – electrolyte in the cells, conducts electric current for
muscle contraction
8. Sulfur - .2-.25% of the body


Uses – bone structure and makes up the energy molecule in the
body
7. Potassium - .2-.35% of the body


Uses – strength to the skeletal system
Uses – electrolyte; needed for transmission of nerve impulses;
helps regulate temperature, blood pressure
10. Magnesium - .05% of the body

Uses – in bones; aids in biochemical reactions; regulates heart
beat, blood pressure, blood glucose levels. Use in metablolism;
Supports immune system, muscle, and nerve function

11. Iron - .006% of the body


12. Fluorine - .0037% of the body


Uses – essential for certain enzymes
19. Molybdenum - .000013% of the body


Uses – helps regulate sugar levels
18. Manganese - .000017% of the body


Uses – essential for enzymes and function
17. Chromium - .0000024% of the body


Uses – required for making thyroid hormones
16. Selenium - .000019% of the body


Uses – important for biological reactions
15. Iodine - .000016% of the body


Uses – helps regulate genes
14. Copper - .0001% of the body


Uses – found in teeth and bones
13. Zinc - .0032% of the body


Uses – key in metabolism; also found in hemoglobin
Uses – transforms sulfur to a usable form
20. Cobalt - .0000021% of the body

Uses – protein formation and DNA regulation
 Toxic
Chemicals that enter the human body
through natural causes or man-made causes

May enter through food, water or absorption through the
skin.
 Estimated
that the average person today
carries within their body at least 700
contaminants.

Some of these chemicals are quickly released by
the body and others are stored for long periods
of time
 Food
we eat, Air we breathe, Water we drink
or bathe in.
 Chemicals coat the surface of dust particles
that we touch or inhale
 Products we use – paints, gasoline, glue,
cosmetics, clothes, plastic food containers,
pesticides

Example: almost all of the dioxin found inside
your body go there from contaminated food that
could have originated from a variety of
contaminated sources.
 DDT
- pesticide
 In 1944 researches found DDT in human fat
 Early 50’s, naturalists concluded that DDT
was directly responsible for thinning
eggshells and declining populations of bald
eagles.
 Depends
on the type of chemical, length of
exposure, and length of time the chemical
remains in the body
 Damage to cells
 Cell Death
 Cause Cancer
 Disrupts the endocrine system
 Developmental delays or reproductive
problems
 Developing
tissue has more potential for
damage
 Timing of exposure and length of exposure
will determine developmental delays for the
fetus or children