Chemical features of the main biogenic elements

The main biogenic elements are carbon, oxygen, hydrogen and nitrogen. These elements combine to form many different molecules. The following table gives the basic distribution of elements in the human body on a dry weight basis.


 * Carbon is the main building block of living organisms.


 * Oxygen is an important building block of living organisms (found in alcohols, phenols, aldehydes, ketones and others). It provides respiration.


 * Hydrogen is an important building block of virtually all organic compounds. It is present in all tissues of living organisms.


 * Nitrogen is a component of many substances found in the body. To name a few, amino acids contain at least one amine (-NH2) and carboxyl (-COOH) group.


 * Calcium plays an important role in the construction of the solid parts of the body (teeth, bones). It can also be found in muscles, blood and other body tissues.


 * Phosphorus, like calcium, is found in teeth and bones, although to a lesser extent. It is an important component of organic molecules - DNA, RNA, energy transporters (ADP, ATP) and is also a component of most fats.

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