Biology- Composition of elements in human body
Biology
Composition of elements in human body
Essential elements:
Element | Characteristics | % of Body mass |
Oxygen |
Oxygen is essential for life. It is absorbed by the lungs and transported by haemoglobin within the erythrocytes to the tissues.
Within the individual cell it is involved in the production of adenosine triphosphate(ATP), a compound that stores chemical energy for muscle cells, by the oxidative metabolism of fats and carbohydrates.
Hypoxia causes anaerobic metabolism with a resulting build-up in Lactic acid, the result of muscle cell activity. If severe enough, the lack of ATP causes a breakdown in cellular function and the death of the individual.
Indications for oxygen therapy include high altitude, heart failure, anaemia, pulmonary hypertension, carbon monoxide poisoning, anaesthesia and post-operative recovery.
| 65.0% |
Carbon |
Carbon forms an essential part in all compounds found in living tissues.
Two isotopes of carbon, C11 and C14, are used in medicine.
Carbon-11 is used in positron-emission tomography(PET).
Carbon-14 is used as a tracer element in studying various aspects of metabolism.
| 18.5% |
Hydrogen | Universal element present in most of the organic compounds. | 9.5% |
Nitrogen | Essential for all organic compounds involving amino functional group. Especiallyamino acids which are essential in formation of protein. | 3.3% |
Trace elements:
Element | Characteristics | % of Body mass | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Calcium |
It is the most abundant mineral in human body.
Calcium is essential for cell function, muscle contraction, the transmission of nerve impulses, and blood clotting. Calcium is especially needed by the growing child and the pregnant and nursing mother. The uptake of calcium by the baby is helped by vitamin D.
Chief sources of calcium are dairy products, eggs, and green, leafy vegetables.
Hypocalcaemia: Tetany - Clinical neurological syndrome characterized by muscular twitching and cramps and (when severe) seizures.
Hypercalcaeima: Calculi(stones) in the kidneys or gallbladder.
Recommended daily intake:
Medicinal preparations:
Calcium carbonate(chalk)
Calcium chloride - used as dehydrating agent.
Calcium gluconate - used to prepare calcium injections.
Calcium hydroxide(slaked lime)
Liquor of calcium hydroxide (lime-water)
Calcium lactate - used as supplementary calcium.
Calcium phosphate
| 1.5% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Chlorine | 0.2% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Magnesium |
Magnesium is essential for formation of bones and teeth, muscle contraction, nerve impulse transmission, and activation of many enzymes. The adult body contains around 25 grams of magnesium, the greater part of which is in the bones.
Dietary sources include cereals, nuts, soya beans, milk, and fish. More than two-thirds of our daily supply comes from cereals and vegetables.
Deficiency leads to muscular weakness and interferes with the efficient working of the heart.
Medicinal preparations:
Magnesium carbonate and Magnesium trisilicate - Used to make Antacids.
Sulphate of magnesium(Epsom salts) - Used as purgative.
| 0.1% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Phosphorus |
Phosphorus in combination with calcium forms the bones and teeth. It is also essential for formation of Phospholipids and nucleic acids.
Some phosphorus-containing compounds such as adenosine triphosphate(ATP) and Creatine phosphate are essential participants in the conversion and storage of energy.
Dietary sources include cereals, dairy products, and meat.
| 1.0% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Potassium |
Maintains the normal heart rhythm, regulate the body’s water balance, conduct nerve impulses, and contract muscles.
Deficiency causes nervous disorders and poor muscle coordination.
Dietary sources of potassium include lean meat, whole grains, green leafy vegetables, beans, and various fruits, such as bananas, apricots, dates, and peaches.
Hypokalaemia:
Cause: loss of fluids through diarrhoea and/or vomiting.
Effects: fatigue, drowsiness, dizziness, and muscle weakness. In more severe cases, there may be abnormal heart rhythms and muscle paralysis.
Hyperkalaemia:
Cause: excessive intake of potassium supplements, severe kidney failure, Addison’s disease, or prolonged treatment with potassium-sparing diuretics.
Effects: numbness and tingling, disturbances of the heart rhythm, and muscle paralysis. In severe cases, there may be heart failure.
| 0.4% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sodium |
Sodium helps to regulate the body’s water balance through osmotic pressure and maintain normal heart rhythm and is involved in conduction of nerve impulses and contraction of muscles.
The level of sodium in the blood is controlled by the kidneys, which eliminate any excess in the urine.
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