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

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. Other elements 5. Calcium – 1.5% of the human body
Uses – strength to the skeletal system
6. Phosphorous – % of the body
Uses – bone structure and makes up the energy molecule in the body
7. Potassium % of the body
Uses – electrolyte in the cells, conducts electric current for muscle contraction
8. Sulfur % of the body
Uses – part of amino acids and proteins; helps form skin, hair, and nails. Needed for cellular respiration as well.
9. Sodium % 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

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

6. 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

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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

10. 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