1. Oxygen (O): The most abundant element in living things, making up about 65% of a human body's mass. It's a crucial component of water, carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids.
2. Carbon (C): The backbone of all organic molecules, forming the framework of all living things. It's essential for building carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids.
3. Hydrogen (H): The smallest and most abundant element in the universe, playing a significant role in water, carbohydrates, and energy transfer.
4. Nitrogen (N): A major component of proteins, nucleic acids (DNA and RNA), and other essential molecules. It's also crucial for plant growth.
5. Calcium (Ca): Important for bones, teeth, muscle function, nerve transmission, and blood clotting.
6. Phosphorus (P): Found in DNA, RNA, ATP (energy currency of cells), and cell membranes. It's also essential for bone and tooth formation.
While these six elements are the most abundant and crucial, there are other elements present in living organisms in smaller amounts. These trace elements are essential for various biological processes, including enzyme function and metabolism.
