Common Elements in Living things
All living things are composed of matter that contains the same core elements of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen. These elements are combined along with a few other less common elements to give the 'biological molecules' of carbohydrates, proteins and lipids and DNA.
A variety of other elements are needed by living organisms including :
Sulfur: (S) essential element in variable group of some amino acids (therefore proteins)
Calcium: (Ca) essential element in bones, teeth, shells, nerve function
Phosphorus: (K) essential element in nucleotides, including ATP
Iron: (Fe) essential element in heme group of hemoglobin, oxygen transport molecule
Sodium: (Na) required for nerve impulse transmission
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