Andrea Jean Miranda BSED SCIENCE-2B

Anatomy and Physiology September 23, 2022

Sci. 212 Anatomy and Physiology

Assignment:
ANSWER WHAT IS CALLED FOR:
1. Read “The Chemical Basis of Life”. You may search this in the web.
2. Answer the following questions:
A. Which four kinds of atoms are most abundant in the body? Why are they
abundant than the other elements or atoms in the body? (20 points)

- All of the 118 elements on Earth, just 21 of them are found in the human
body. Together, they make up the medley of divergent molecules that combine
to form our DNA, cells, tissues, and organs. The human body is composed of
many chemical compositions of components. Some elements are abundant,
whereas others are present in small amounts. Oxygen, carbon, hydrogen, and
nitrogen make up approximately 96% of the human body weight, which makes
them the most abundant elements in the human body. Oxygen is essential for
metabolism, respiration, and cellular oxygenation in the body. Every significant
organic molecule in the body, including proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and
nucleic acids, contains oxygen. It is found in everything from our cells and blood
to our cerebral and spinal fluid. On the other hand, carbon is the basic building
block essential for the formation of proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids, in which
breaking carbon bonds in carbohydrates and proteins is our primary energy
source. While hydrogen allows transportation and the elimination of toxins and
waste. Also, the hydrogen in our bodies keeps our joints lubricated and able to
fulfill their jobs, and it is claimed to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant
qualities, which aid in the function of muscles. Furthermore, nitrogen is a crucial
component of amino acids, which are utilized to make peptides and proteins. It
is also a component of the nucleic acids DNA and RNA, which serve as the
chemical foundation for our genetic information and genealogy. So, with all of
these, it makes them an abundant element in the human body.

B. Describe the distinguishing characteristics of the three classes of essential

chemical elements found in the body. (10 points)

- The three classes of essential chemical elements that are found in the body
are major elements, mineral elements, and trace elements. Most living matter
consists primarily of the so-called major elements, or sometimes called bulk
elements, which constitute 99.3% of total atoms in the body. Namely, oxygen,
carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, and sulfur, which are the building blocks of the
compounds that constitute our organs and muscles. These five elements also
constitute the bulk of our diet; tens of grams per day are required for humans.
Sodium, magnesium, potassium, calcium, chlorine, and phosphorus are the six
other elements that are frequently referred to as mineral elements and account
for 0.7% of total atoms in the body. They provide essential ions in body fluids
and form the major structural components of the body. The remaining essential
elements are called trace elements because they are present in very small
amounts, ranging from a few grams to a few milligrams in an adult human,
which is less than 0.01% of total atoms in the body. Despite its small amount,
it still plays an important role in the human body.
 C. Describe the polar characteristics of a water molecule. What determines a
molecule’s solubility or lack of solubility in water? (20 points)

- When the two hydrogen atoms link with the oxygen, they form Mickey Mouse
ears at the top of the molecule. This chemical arrangement confers polarity, or
an unbalanced electrical charge that attracts other atoms, to the water
molecule. The end of the molecule with the two hydrogen atoms is positively
charged. The other end, with the oxygen, is negatively charged. The positive
end of the water molecule will connect with the negative ends of other
molecules. Water's polarity allows it to easily dissolve other polar compounds.
When a polar substance is immersed in water, the positive ends of its
molecules attract the negative ends of the water molecules, and vice
versa. Water molecules are strongly attracted to one another, which gives
water a high surface tension. One major component control whether or not a
molecule is soluble in water. The electrical attraction of the molecules to the
water molecules is one of the factors. Sugars are an example of a molecule
that is electrically attracted to water molecules and will dissolve in water, but
oils will not.

3. Enumerate and describe the major biomolecules of the cell or body as a whole.
(5 points each)

- The major biomolecules of the cell or body are carbohydrates, lipids,

protein, and nucleic acid. Because of their size, these molecules are called
macromolecules. Each is an important component of the cell and performs a wide
array of functions. Carbohydrates are molecules that contain carbon, hydrogen,
and oxygen and are primarily used by living organisms as a source of energy. Like
carbohydrates, lipids are molecules made up of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen,
but lipids have a higher proportion of hydrogen atoms. Lipids store more energy
than carbohydrates. It is soluble in oils and other nonpolar solvents, but is insoluble
in water and aqueous solutions. On the other hand, proteins are the most diverse
and among the most important molecules in living organisms. Although they have
various functions, all proteins have the same basic structure. Lastly is nucleic acid,
where organisms store information about the structures of their proteins in
macromolecules. It is a polymer containing subunits called nucleotides. There are
two types of nucleic acids: DNA and RNA. To sum it up, the major biomolecules of
the cell or body play an important role. It involves in several processes such as
energy storage (carbohydrates), catalyzing the biochemical reactions (hormones),
storing/transmitting the genetic codes (RNA/DNA), or altering biological and
neurological activities (neurotransmitter/hormones).

Date due: September 23, 2022

11:59 PM