Chemistry of our world

1. 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 – 1.2-1.5% of the body • Uses – bone structure and makes up the energy molecule in the body • 7. Potassium - .2-.35% of the body • Uses – electrolyte in the cells, conducts electric current for muscle contraction • 8. Sulfur - .2-.25% of the body • Uses – part of amino acids and proteins; helps form skin, hair, and nails. Needed for cellular respiration as well. • 9. Sodium - .1-.15% 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 - .0037% of the body • Uses – found in teeth and bones • 13. Zinc - .0032% of the body • Uses – helps regulate genes • 14. Copper - .0001% of the body • Uses – important for biological reactions • 15. Iodine - .000016% of the body • Uses – required for making thyroid hormones • 16. Selenium - .000019% of the body • Uses – essential for enzymes and function • 17. Chromium - .0000024% of the body • Uses – helps regulate sugar levels • 18. Manganese - .000017% of the body • Uses – essential for certain enzymes • 19. Molybdenum - .000013% of the body • Uses – transforms sulfur to a usable form • 20. Cobalt - .0000021% 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