biochem deck 2

Essential elements

Approximately 20% to 25% of the 92 naturally occurring elements required by an organism to sustain normal biological function, growth, and reproduction.

Major Essential Elements

Elements that comprise 96.3% of Human Body Mass, including Oxygen, Carbon, Hydrogen, and Nitrogen.

Oxygen (O)

Comprises 65.0% of total human body mass (including water).

Carbon (C)

Comprises 18.5% of total body mass.

Hydrogen (H)

Comprises 9.5% of total body mass.

Nitrogen (N)

Comprises 3.3% of total body mass.

Minor Essential Elements

Elements that comprise 3.7% of Human Body Mass, including Calcium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Sulfur, Sodium, Chlorine, and Magnesium.

Calcium (Ca)

Comprises 1.5% of total body mass.

Phosphorus (P)

Comprises 1.0% of total body mass.

Potassium (K)

Comprises 0.4% of total body mass.

Sulfur (S)

Comprises 0.3% of total body mass.

Sodium (Na)

Comprises 0.2% of total body mass.

Chlorine (Cl)

Comprises 0.2% of total body mass.

Magnesium (Mg)

Comprises 0.1% of total body mass.

Trace Elements

Elements required by organisms in extremely minute quantities, accounting for less than 0.01% of body mass, including Boron, Chromium, Cobalt, Copper, Fluorine, Iodine, Iron, Manganese, Molybdenum, Selenium, Silicon, Tin, Vanadium, and Zinc.

Evolutionary Adaptation to Toxic Elements

Certain species have evolved physiological tolerance to thrive in environments with elevated toxicity due to specific chemical elements.

Serpentine Plant Communities

Plant species adapted to soils loaded with heavy metals like chromium, nickel, and cobalt, which have evolved biochemical pathways to survive in hostile conditions.