| Element |
% of
Body |
Functional
Significance |
| Oxygen |
65.0 |
A
major contributor to both organic and inorganic
molecules; as a gas it is necessary for the
production of cellular energy |
| Carbon |
18.5 |
The
main component of all organic molecules, i.e..
carbohy-drates, lipids. protests. and nucleic acids |
| Hydrogen |
10.0 |
Another
component of all organic molecules; in its ionic
form it is influential on the
pH of body fluids |
| Nitrogen |
3.0 |
An
important structural component of all genetic
material (nucleic acids) |
| Calcium |
1.2 |
A
building block of bones and teeth; its ionic form is
essential in muscle
contraction, impulse conduction in nerves, and blood
clotting. |
| Phosphorus |
1.0 |
Joins
calcium to contribute to bone crystalline structure;
present in nucleic acids and
ATP |
| Potassium |
0.4 |
Its
ionic form is the major cation (positive ions) in
cells; necessary for
conduction of nerve impulses and muscle contraction |
| Sulfur |
0.3 |
Important
component of muscle proteins |
| Sodium |
0.2 |
Ionic
form is the major positive ion found outside the
cell, necessary for water
balance, muscle contraction. and impulse conduction |
| Chlorine |
0.2 |
In
ionic form is the most abundant anion (negative ion)
outside the cell |
| Magnesium |
0.1 |
Found
in bone and plays an important assisting role in
many metabolic
reactions |
| Iodine |
0.1 |
Required
in thyroid hormones which are the bodies main metabolic hormones |
| Iron |
0.1 |
Basic
building block of the hemoglobin molecule which is
major transporter of
oxygen in body |
