Element Name |
% Composition by Body Weight |
Importance |
Oxygen |
65% |
a. Used in cellular respiration.b. Component of water.c. Component of organic molecules |
Carbon |
18.5% |
a. Backbone of organic molecules |
Hydrogen |
9.5% |
a. Electron carrier.b. Component of water.c. Important component of organic molecules. |
Element Name |
Importance of Element |
Nitrogen |
a. Important component of all proteins.b.Important component of all nucleic acids. |
Calcium |
a. Component of bones & teeth.b. Involved in muscle contraction. |
Phosphorus |
a. Important component of nucleic acids.b. Involved in energy transfers within cells. |
Iron |
a. Component of hemoglobin (in blood). |
Sodium |
a. Main positive ion outside cells.b. Important in nerve impulse transmission. |