2007-11-25 15:32:41 · 8 answers · asked by wallace 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Biology
As my bio teacher told us: CHNOPS
Carbon, Hydrogen, Nitrogen, Oxygen, Phosphorus, and Sulfur.
If you can't think of them, just think logically. Carbon, Hydrogen, and Oxygen are basically givens (think fats and proteins), and Nitrogen's also huge in living things. Phospholipid bilayers, phosphorus, yes? And sulfur... I don't quite know about that one, but there must be something that it's involved in too. xD Just remember CHNOPS and have an atomic elements table ready if you can't think of them from that.
But this leads to much debate, arguing sulfur vs. calcium, this that, etc. I think these changes are accounting completely different living molecules, whether they're counting just humans, all living things, different compounds common in living things, or the like.
Lesson is, u should just ask your teacher about the specifics and you won't get it wrong that way.
2007-11-25 16:15:42 · answer #1 · answered by Kenny H 3 · 5⤊ 1⤋
The elements in the human body are, In order of "mole fraction", or the total number of atoms:
1. Hydrogen (H)
2. Oxygen (O)
3. Carbon (C)
4. Nitrogen (N)
5. Calcium (Ca)†
6. Phosphorus (P)†
Note: Humans and other animals tend to have a large amount of calcium because of their bones. In plants, fungi, and bacteria, the 5th and 6th elements are usually phosphorus and potassium (K), respectively.
Hydrogen is the most common element, in terms of the number of atoms, but it is also the lightest element. When measured according to WEIGHT, the order changes a bit.
1. Oxygen (O)
2. Carbon (C)
3. Hydrogen (H)
4. Nitrogen (N)
5. Calcium (Ca)
6. Phosphorus (P)
~W.O.M.B.A.T.
P.S. others have listed Sulfur (S) as #5. This is not correct. Calcium, phosphorus, potassium, and sodium (Na), respectively, are more common than sulfur!
2007-11-25 16:01:52 · answer #2 · answered by WOMBAT, Manliness Expert 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
6 Elements Of Life
2016-10-02 12:58:57 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
This Site Might Help You.
RE:
what are the six most abundant elements in living things?
2015-08-18 02:38:18 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Without looking it up:
Carbon - present in all organic molecules
Hydrogen - in water
Oxygen - in water, and we're mostly water.
Nitrogen - present in all proteins
After resorting to a search:
http://www.tetonnm.com/pics/IndependentSamplePages/1-893441-42-3.pdf says Sulphur and Phosphorus are the next two. I know sulphur is also needed in proteins to glue the strands into complex shapes.
Reading further supports this list:
Oxygen, Carbon, Hydrogen, Nitrogen, Sulphur, Phosphorus.
(In American English: Sulfur)
However, it is worth looking back over your course notes if this is homework help.
Edited to add: phosphate is a type of compound, not an element! Perhaps Phosphorus was meant.
2007-11-25 15:53:15 · answer #5 · answered by smtrodent 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
The six most abundant elements in living organisms are (CHNOPS - Kinda sounds like schnapps... that's how I remember it) Carbon, Hydrogen, Nitrogen, Oxygen, Phosphorus, and Sulfur. Happy trails. ^_^
2007-11-25 15:41:51 · answer #6 · answered by Tch 1 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Oxygen
Phosphorus
Nitrogen
Hydrogen
Sulfur
Calcium
2007-11-25 15:39:26 · answer #7 · answered by ganadara000 2 · 0⤊ 4⤋
Carbon, Oxygen, Hydrogen, Nitrogen, Phosphate, Calcium
I remember: PONCH CA (ponch is from california). The above answer is missing Carbon, which is the backbone molecule of all life forms.
2007-11-25 15:39:27 · answer #8 · answered by Emerson 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
For the best answers, search on this site https://shorturl.im/TDkUv
If you mean which element is most common in living things, not on earth, its carbon. Thats why life on earth is called "carbon based"
2016-03-28 23:04:27 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋