What are the elements that make up cells?

As we all know, the human body is made up of countless cells, which are the basic units of all living things. In addition, there are many types of cells in the human body. When we studied biology in high school, we knew that cells can be divided into two categories: prokaryotic cells and eukaryotic cells. Different types of cells have different structures and functions, but the components of most cells are the same or similar.

Elements that make up cells:

There are four basic elements that make up cells: C, H, O, and N. The content of these four elements in cells accounts for about 90% of the total amount of elements that make up cells.

The most basic element that makes up cells is C. The C content in the dry weight of human cells reaches 55.99% (the C content in the fresh weight reaches 18%)

Although the content of trace elements in organisms is very small, they play an important role in the life activities of organisms;

(1) Zinc and iron are trace elements that can be obtained from food. If you deliberately supplement them, it may be harmful to your body. Boron can affect the germination of pollen and the elongation of pollen tubes. Boron deficiency will result in the phenomenon of "flowers but no fruits".

(2) If plants lack zinc, it will affect the production of auxin (IAA); when auxin is deficient, it will affect the growth and development of crops; zinc is a trace element.

(3) Magnesium is the main element that constitutes plant chlorophyll.

(4) Iron is the main element that constitutes animal hemoglobin. Iron deficiency will cause anemia.

(5) Iodine is the main element of thyroid hormone. Adults with iodine deficiency will suffer from endemic goiter (goiter), and children with iodine deficiency will suffer from cretinism.

Knowledge points:

1. Regardless of dry weight or fresh weight, the four elements C, H, O, and N are the most abundant in the cell composition.

2. The relative content of elements in the fresh weight of human cells: O>C>H>N>P>S; the relative content of elements in the dry weight of human cells: C>O>N>H>Ca>P>S.

3. Both macroelements and trace elements are necessary for the life activities of organisms. They are distinguished based on their content, not their function.

4. Different organisms have roughly the same types of chemical elements, but the content of each element varies greatly.

5. Fresh weight refers to the weight of an organism (or cell) measured in its natural living state; dry weight refers to the weight of an organism (or cell) after removing water. The element that accounts for the largest amount of fresh weight in the human body is O, and the element that accounts for the largest amount of dry weight in the human body is C.