Human Body Part B – Elements of the Body Chemistry of our world Human Body Part B – Elements of the Body

Elements of You 96% of the body consists of only 4 elements The other 4% consists of elements in trace amounts. These elements are still crucial to the proper function of the body.

4 main elements 1. Oxygen – 61-65% of the mass of the human body. Uses – Cellular Respiration 2. Carbon – 18% of the human body Basic element needed for all organic molecules Uses – Proteins, Fats, Carbohydrates, nucleic acids all contain Carbon Uses – Also Carbon Dioxide is released in Cellular Respiration 3. Hydrogen – 10% of the human body Uses – exists mostly in the form of water; transports nutrients, removes wastes, regulates body temperature, lubricates joints and organs 4. Nitrogen – 3% of the human body Uses – Proteins, nucleic acids, and other organic materials contain nitrogen; Also found in the lungs.

Other elements 5. Calcium – 1.5% of the human body Uses – strength to the skeletal system 6. Phosphorous – 1.2-1.5% of the body Uses – bone structure and makes up the energy molecule in the body 7. Potassium - .2-.35% of the body Uses – electrolyte in the cells, conducts electric current for muscle contraction 8. Sulfur - .2-.25% of the body Uses – part of amino acids and proteins; helps form skin, hair, and nails. Needed for cellular respiration as well. 9. Sodium - .1-.15% of the body Uses – electrolyte; needed for transmission of nerve impulses; helps regulate temperature, blood pressure 10. Magnesium - .05% of the body Uses – in bones; aids in biochemical reactions; regulates heart beat, blood pressure, blood glucose levels. Use in metablolism; Supports immune system, muscle, and nerve function

More Elements 11. Iron - .006% of the body Uses – key in metabolism; also found in hemoglobin 12. Fluorine - .0037% of the body Uses – found in teeth and bones 13. Zinc - .0032% of the body Uses – helps regulate genes 14. Copper - .0001% of the body Uses – important for biological reactions 15. Iodine - .000016% of the body Uses – required for making thyroid hormones 16. Selenium - .000019% of the body Uses – essential for enzymes and function 17. Chromium - .0000024% of the body Uses – helps regulate sugar levels 18. Manganese - .000017% of the body Uses – essential for certain enzymes 19. Molybdenum - .000013% of the body Uses – transforms sulfur to a usable form 20. Cobalt - .0000021% of the body Uses – protein formation and DNA regulation

Body Burden Toxic Chemicals that enter the human body through natural causes or man-made causes May enter through food, water or absorption through the skin. Estimated that the average person today carries within their body at least 700 contaminants. Some of these chemicals are quickly released by the body and others are stored for long periods of time

How does this happen? Food we eat, Air we breathe, Water we drink or bathe in. Chemicals coat the surface of dust particles that we touch or inhale Products we use – paints, gasoline, glue, cosmetics, clothes, plastic food containers, pesticides Example: almost all of the dioxin found inside your body go there from contaminated food that could have originated from a variety of contaminated sources.

Examples - DDT: DDT - pesticide In 1944 researches found DDT in human fat Early 50’s, naturalists concluded that DDT was directly responsible for thinning eggshells and declining populations of bald eagles.

Effects of Body burden Depends on the type of chemical, length of exposure, and length of time the chemical remains in the body Damage to cells Cell Death Cause Cancer Disrupts the endocrine system Developmental delays or reproductive problems

Effects on children Developing tissue has more potential for damage Timing of exposure and length of exposure will determine developmental delays for the fetus or children