The chemical composition Of living things Is based on organic elements such as carbon, Oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen, sulfur and phosphorus.
The primary elements are those that allow the formation of biomolecules, created by long chains of atoms. Carbon, oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen, sulfur and phosphorus are part of this group. These constitute approximately 98% of the composition of all organisms.
The secondary components have a subdivision. The essential secondary elements: calcium, sodium, potassium, magnesium and chlorine. And the variables: iron, silicon, copper, manganese, boron, fluorine and iodine.
The variable secondary elements together form only approximately 0.009% of the composition while the indispensable elements approach 1.8%.
Primary Components
1) Carbon:
This chemical component is considered the basis of all life.
The carbohydrates, lipids and nucleic acids possess carbon. However, although it is necessary, it does not need to be excessive and for that reason, breathing is allowed to leave the carbon (in the form of dioxide) unnecessary to maintain the balance.
It is necessary for photosynthesis and therefore, it is key element in the breathing of living beings.
2) Oxygen
It is the most abundant component in humans and animals. It is mostly bound to hydrogen to form water that represents 65% of body mass.
Oxygen is one of the bases of all macromolecules, it feeds every cell of the body. Its main function is to carry out the process of breathing, which fills the lungs and helps to eradicate excess carbon.
Oxygen is also indispensable for plants as it is a key element for photosynthesis and in turn, photosynthesis is the basis of animal and human survival.
3) Hydrogen
Hydrogen, like carbon, is present in every biomolecule making it indispensable. It is mostly bound to oxygen, as it is a necessary element in the composition of water and constitutes approximately 10% of the body mass.
As a key to the formation of ATP, hydrogen contributes to energy.
Plants receive chemical elements from the soil that act as nutrients. Hydrogen is responsible for dissolving them so that these elements can build the tissues of the plant.
4) Nitrogen
The metabolic process of humans and animals depends on the enzymes. The proteins that exist in the metabolism are synthesized by the nitrogen, these are in the tissues of the body.
Due to its role with proteins, it is a fundamental piece in the transmission of energy. Nitrogen is also part of the creation of new cells.
In plants, nitrogen is a component found in chlorophyll, which gives them that characteristic green color and also allows plants to absorb sunlight to grow and carry out the photosynthetic process.
5) Sulfur
Of all the primary components, sulfur is the one that comes in less quantity. It is only 0.5% of the body, however, it is very important for many functions.
Sulfur is part of the amino acids and proteins that are synthesized by nitrogen. In addition to that, it can be found in large quantities in keratin, responsible for the growth of nails, hair, fur, hooves and horns.
The sulfur in the plants is necessary to be able to produce seeds and to be able to form the roots. Thanks to this the plants grow with more force, as a result, the sulfur makes them resistant to very low temperatures.
6) Phosphorus
It constitutes 1% of the composition of the mass of the body. Usually it works with the calcium in the formation and constitution of the bones and the teeth, consequently, a deficiency of phosphorus can cause the fragility of these.
It is present in Adenosine Triphosphate, so it helps with the transfer of energy. It can also be found in nucleic acids.
The growth of plants is largely due to the interaction of phosphorus, this helps the elongation of cells and their division.
Help (like nitrogen) to the transformation of the energy obtained from the sun to chemical energy to carry out the process of photosynthesis.
References
- Helmenstine, A. (2016)"Chemical Composition of the Human Body"Recovered on 07 July 2017 from thoughtco.com
- Klappenbach, L. (2015)"The Chemistry of Animal Life"Retrieved on 07 July 2017 from thoughtco.com
- Helmenstine, A (2017)"What Are the Elements in the Human Body?"Retrieved on July 07, 2017 from thoughtco.com
- Haas, E."Minerals: Sulfur"Retrieved on July 06, 2017 from healthy.net
- Helmenstine, A (2015)"Elements in the Human Body and What They Do"Retrieved on July 06, 2017 from sciencenotes.org
- Lee, L. (2015)"Why does the body need nitrogen?"Retrieved on July 06, 2017 from livestrong.com
- "Phytochemicals, the chemical components of plants"Recovered on July 06, 2017 from nutricionpersonalizada.wordpress.com.