Distribution of

elements on Earth and

living systems

Group 4- Marquez , Lamyah ,Raymart ,

Iman and John
Elements
• An element is a pure substance that is made up from a single type of
atom.
• Everything on Earth is made up of these elements that are classified as
metal, non-metals and metalloids.
• Although the Earth is made-up of these elements it is not evenly
distributed throughout the Earth's crust as most elements are in
combined forms
How are the elements distributed?
• 83 elements are found in nature ,and 12 makes up 99.7 % of the Earth’s
crust by mass
• It is distributed mostly in the Earth such as the Earth’s crust which is
made up of Iron.
• The surrounding area around the core is a layer called mantle which is a
hot fluid that contains Sulfur, Iron , Silicon and Carbon.
How are the elements distributed?
• In humans  we have elements such as Zinc (Zn) , Iron (Fe) , Copper (Cu) , Iodine (I) and Cobalt
(Co), which makes up 0.1% of our body mass.
• It is necessary for biological functions like structure, growth, transporting oxygen for metabolism
and defense against disease for all living beings.
• Hydrogen, Carbon , Nitrogen and Oxygen are found in every living being. 19.4% is the percentage
of carbon in the mass of living matter while Oxygen and Hydrogen are present in almost all organic
compounds that creates living organisms
Other elements
• Elements such as phosphorus and sulfur are essentials for the structure of
nucleic acids and amino acids
• Remaining elements found in nature play a role in determining the protein
structure e.g. hemoglobin (iron) and chlorophyll (magnesium)
• Others are essential in taxonomic groups (scientific study of identifying ,
naming, characteristics etc. of an animal or species) particularly prokaryotes
(single-celled organisms).
• Rarer elements are being substitutes like bromine is often substitutes for
chlorine
Other elements
• Few elements were found to become pharmacologic function for
humans and possibly for other living beings. Even though it’s non-
essential it is still used to treat diseases. E.g. Fluorine reduces the
effects of iron deficiency in rats.
• Elements with atomic number 95 or higher have a very short life-span
so they don’t exist on the surface of the Earth .
In conclusion..

• The abundance of elements is mostly present in the Earth’s crust

• Other elements are essential for development, forming of cells, structure
• are used in medicine
• Rare elements either don’t exist due to short life-span or are being substituted.
Sources:-
• Chang Chemistry book
• Biological roles of the elements – Wikipedia
• Distribution of Elements on Earth - Classification of Elements and Periodicity in Propertie
s - YouTube
THAT IS THE END OF OUR REPORT
THANK YOU