1.1 - Elements in living organisms

inorganic compounds

compounds which don’t contain carbon (except CO, CO2 and carbonates)

11 elements necessary for life

C H O N P Ca K S Na Cl Mg

trace element

chemical element required only in tiny amounts

Main trace elements

Fe Cu Co Mn Zn

Most hazardous trace elements in high doses

Cr Ni Cu Zn

sources of trace elements

natural: weathering rocks + volcanic eruptions, but industrial processes and agriculture increase

uses of calcium

prokaryotes and plants: co-factor in enzyme reactions

animals: bones + muscle contractions

uses of phosphorus

ATP + nucleotides + phospholipids

uses of sulfur

amino acids + (in animals) antibodies

uses of sodium

membranes + osmosis + solute concentrations + (in animals) nerve impulses

uses of magnesium

ATP + nucleic acids + (in plants) chlorophyll

uses of iron

cytochrome pigments in aerobic respiration + (in plants) chloroplast structure + (in animals) hemoglobin

nucleic acid monomer

nucleotides (C, H, O, N, P)