Elements and Inorganic Substances

What are the major elements in the body?

O, C, H, N, Ca, P, K, S, Cl, Na, Mg.

What percentage do the major elements make up?

About 99.9% of the body by weight.

What are trace elements?

Elements that together make up less than 0.1% of the body.

What are the trace elements?

Cr, Co, Cu, F, I, Fe, Mn, Zn.

What are the 3 inorganic molecules?

Water (H₂O), oxygen (O₂), and carbon dioxide (CO₂).

What are the functions of water (H₂O)?

Medium for most biochemical reactions; major component of body fluids; regulates body temperature; transports chemicals.

What is the function of oxygen (O₂)?

Used in energy release from glucose molecules.

What are the functions of carbon dioxide (CO₂)?

Waste product of metabolism; reacts with water to form carbonic acid.

What is the function of bicarbonate ions (HCO₃⁻)?

Helps maintain acid-base balance.

What are the functions of calcium ions (Ca²⁺)?

Necessary for bone tissue, muscle contraction, and blood clotting.

What is the function of carbonate ions (CO₃²⁻)?

Component of bone tissue.

What is the function of chloride ions (Cl⁻)?

Major extracellular negatively charged ion.

What is the function of hydrogen ions (H⁺)?

Help determine the pH of the internal environment.

What are the functions of magnesium ions (Mg²⁺)?

Component of bone tissue; required for certain metabolic processes.

What are the functions of phosphate ions (PO₄³⁻)?

Required for ATP, nucleic acids, and other vital substances; component of bone tissue; helps maintain cell membrane polarization.

What is the function of potassium ions (K⁺)?

Required for polarization of cell membranes.

What are the functions of sodium ions (Na⁺)?

Required for polarization of cell membranes; helps maintain water balance.

What is the function of sulfate ions (SO₄²⁻)?

Helps maintain polarization of cell membranes.