Elements of Life

Table of Contents Carbon.……………………..pages 1-2 Hydrogen…….….………..pages 3-4 Oxygen………………………pages 5-6 Nitrogen……….…….…….pages 7-8 Phosphorus………...….pages 9-10 Sulfur…………………….pages 11-12 Calcium…...……………pages 13-14 Iron……….………………pages 15-16

What are the most common elements found in the human body?

Carbon (C) page 1

What is the functional significance of carbon? (page 2) Carbon is the building block of life. It is the main component of all organic molecules (carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids). Without carbon, our bodies would just be a big pile of loose atoms with no way to be built into a person.

Hydrogen (H) page 3

What is the functional significance of hydrogen? (page 4) Hydrogen binds to carbon. This makes hydrogen a component of all organic molecules (carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids). Stomach acid contains hydrogen and chlorine (hydrochloric acid). It helps us to digest food and to absorb other elements we need to survive. The hydrogen ion is responsible for many chemical reactions we need to survive.

Oxygen (O) page 5

What is the functional significance of oxygen? (page 6) Oxygen binds to carbon. This makes oxygen a component of all organic molecules (carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids). It is necessary for the production of cellular energy. Oxygen and hydrogen form water. Water is essential for life.

Nitrogen (N) page 7

What is the functional significance of nitrogen? (page 8) Nitrogen is a component of the amino acids that make up proteins. It is also a component of the nucleic acids that make up DNA.

Phosphorus (P) page 9

What is the functional significance of phosphorus? (page 10) Phosphorus joins calcium to contribute to bone crystalline structure. It is present in nucleic acids and ATP. ATP provides energy in cells for driving chemical reactions.

Sulfur (S) page 11

What is the functional significance of sulfur? (page 12) Sulfur is an important component of muscle proteins. It helps protect the cells in our bodies from environmental hazards such as air pollution and radiation.

Calcium (Ca) page 13

What is the functional significance of calcium? (page 14) Calcium is found in bones and teeth. It’s most important role is in bodily functions, such as muscle contraction and protein regulation. If there's not enough of the element in a person's diet, the body will draw calcium from the bones.

Iron (Fe) page 15

What is the functional significance of iron? (page 16) Iron is the key element in the metabolism of almost all living organisms. It is found in hemoglobin, which is the oxygen carrier in red blood cells.