1. Water (H₂O): The most abundant component, making up about 55-78% of body weight. Essential for numerous bodily functions, including:
* Transporting nutrients and waste products
* Regulating body temperature
* Maintaining cell shape and volume
2. Inorganic Compounds:
* Minerals:
* Major Minerals: Calcium (Ca), Phosphorus (P), Potassium (K), Sulfur (S), Sodium (Na), Chlorine (Cl), Magnesium (Mg) – critical for bone health, nerve function, fluid balance, and many other processes.
* Trace Minerals: Iron (Fe), Zinc (Zn), Iodine (I), Copper (Cu), Manganese (Mn), Fluoride (F), Selenium (Se), Chromium (Cr), Molybdenum (Mo) – involved in enzyme activity, hormone production, and other vital functions.
* Other: Acids (like hydrochloric acid in the stomach), salts, and gases (like oxygen and carbon dioxide).
3. Organic Compounds:
* Carbohydrates: Made up of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. Primary energy source for cells. Examples: sugars, starches, and fibers.
* Lipids (Fats): Made up of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen (with a higher proportion of hydrogen than carbohydrates). Provide energy, insulate organs, and form cell membranes. Examples: triglycerides, phospholipids, and sterols (like cholesterol).
* Proteins: Composed of amino acids, containing carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and sometimes sulfur. Essential for:
* Building and repairing tissues
* Producing enzymes, hormones, and antibodies
* Transporting substances throughout the body
* Nucleic Acids: Composed of nucleotides containing carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and phosphorus. They are responsible for storing and transmitting genetic information. Examples: DNA and RNA.
4. Other Components:
* Vitamins: Organic compounds needed in small amounts for various metabolic processes. Examples: Vitamin A, C, D, E, K, and the B vitamins.
* Hormones: Chemical messengers produced by glands and transported via the bloodstream to target cells. They regulate a wide range of bodily functions.
It's important to remember that these chemical components interact in complex ways to maintain life. The proportions of each component can vary depending on factors like age, sex, and body composition.
