Pocket Reference Facts- Human Body Composition

Phosphorus is used in bone development and helps the skeleton retain rigidity. I'm not sure about sulfur, but I'm sure a quick Internet search would answer the question.

The phosphorus comes from Adenosine triphosphate (ATP)which is the main metabolic energy transfer mechanism, via the ATP cycle, in the body. Sulfur makes up parts of proteins and amino acids. Neither element makes up much of the body but the body can't function without them. I'm surprised about the high oxygen and hydrogen myself. Maybe that is why people become so volatile when they come "unglued".

If you add these amounts up, you get 99.25%. What makes up that last 0.75%?

What makes up that last 0.75%?

A lot of stuff. Here's the rest of the list I have (without percentages but in decending order); Magnesium, Iron, Fluorine, Zinc, Silicon, Zirconium, Rubidium, Strontium, Bromine, Lead, Niobium, Copper, Aluminum, Cadmium, Boron, Barium, Arsenic, Vanadium, Tin, Mercury, Selenium, Manganese, Iodine, Gold, Nickel, Molybdenum, Titanium, Tellurium, Antimony, Lithium, Chromium, Cesium, Cobalt, Silver, Uranium, Beryllium, Radium.

Which brings me to the question, is there actually a biological process that involves a molecule that contains Uranium, or is it just a passive component of our bodies?

Same question of Strontium.

Quote: "Which brings me to the question, is there actually a biological process that involves a molecule that contains Uranium, or is it just a passive component of our bodies? "

Answer - neither one. To take one example, Strontium (Sr). This element is chemically very similar to Calcium. When Sr enters the body it will go where Calcium goes, such as your bones, and stay there. How does the Sr get into your body? Mainly from nuclear waste and nuclear tests. It gets into the water and on the grass, then cows eat and drink it, then you drink the milk/eat a hamburger, and presto you now have Sr90 in your bones. Unfortunately, it is not passive, it's toxic. Most of the other odd elements from the list follow a similar pattern.

I remember hearing that we all have strontium in our system because a nuclear powered satellite crashed in the late 1970s or early 1980s. I have no links to this, only a fading memory, and before I'm branded part of the tin foil hat society, let me say that I am not saying this is true, it's only what I remember hearing. Maybe someone else can verify the claim?

I remember hearing that as well. That's in fact, why I posed the question about Strontium.

Beer

Here's a thought - the high level of O2 is responsible for spontaneous human combustion (see it's true, smoking IS bad for you).

That's unlikely since the majority of the oxygen is actually in water molecules. Basically for that to happen, the water in our bodies would have to break up into H2 and O and then you'd need a spark.

Your numbers are probably for 'dry` weight as I recall reading elsewhere
that the human body is more than 90% water by weight.
The sulfur is part of some proteins.

The mineral hydroxyapatite, which comprises the inorganic component of human bone, as well as the enamel of teeth, is comprised of calcium, phosphorus and hydroxyl ions. (Basically calcium phosphate). Phosphorus also forms the sugar-phosphate backbone of DNA and RNA molecules, which are found in every cell in the body. I believe that there is some sulfur found in every cell in the human body, primarily as comstituents of cell proteins & amino acids, such as Methionine and Cysteine. Non-protein sulfur containing compounds include sulfalipids and sulfatides.

Well as for the sulphur, it is used in the production of flatulence. TeeHee!

Hey BRodda! What was that Star Trek Episode where that mystery disease from that planet remove all the water from the body leaving only a little pile of minerals? That was way cool!

If that includes what's in the intestinal tract, I would say some of us have quite a bit more sulfur (egg yolks) and phosphorus (phosphoric acid in cola drinks).
All joking aside, phosphorus in the human body plays a major role in proper functioning of several systems. From the Mineral Information Institute (www.mii.org):
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Phosphorus is one of the most abundant minerals in the human body, second only to calcium. This essential mineral is required for the healthy formation of bones and teeth, and is necessary for our bodies to process many of the foods that we eat. It is also a part of the body's energy storage system, and helps with maintaining healthy blood sugar levels. Phosphorus is also found in substantial amounts in the nervous system. The regular contractions of the heart are dependant upon phosphorus, as are normal cell growth and repair.
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and for Sulfur:
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S(ulfur) is is an important element that is used in small amounts to help construct virtually all parts of the human body. Sulfur helps protect the cells in our bodies from environmental hazards such as air pollution and radiation. Consequently, sulfur slows down the aging process and extends our life span. Also, sulfur helps our liver function properly, helps us digest the food that we eat and then turn that food into energy. Sulfur is also important for helping our blood clot when we cut or bruise ourselves. Additionally, sulfur is an important part of vitamin B1 and insulin. Interestingly, sulfur is also an important part of a substance that keeps your skin supple and elastic. If you don't think that is important, just imagine trying to get a date to the homecoming dance with stiff, loose skin hanging all over your body.
Fortunately, there is plenty of sulfur in the food that we eat and it is easy to get enough of this important element in our daily diets. There is no need to worry about getting too much sulfur in your diet. If you get more than your body needs, you just excrete it in your urine. Foods that have a lot of sulfur include meats, fish, dairy products, eggs and garlic.
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You are what you eat!

Yes, its very interesting indeed. Humans are mostly Oxygen. Thts the reason why ancient Indian preferred cremation insted of burial as the oxygen helps consume the bodies and whats left is a handful of ash, which is again rich in oxides, These ashes are immersed in waters or spread on soil and the oxide rich ashes purify waters and enrich thoe soils. Reagrding the phosphorus, the element is a soil enricher and even today we use it in combination with nitrogen and pottasium to form basic fertilizers. Hence, it is not harmful. Even if the body is buried, it helps in soil enrichment. Sulphur is a different case. Sulphur when combines with hydrogen forms hydrogen sulphide gas and this gas is the reason for the foul smell coming from dead bodies. Bacteria also adds to the conversion of sulphur into sulphides. Eventually, the sulphur gets consumed and transformed into a gas and escapes into atmosphere. Hence, the nature takes care of the issue. In cases of cremation, sulphur forms sulphur dioxide and escapes into atmosphere, or left in the ash as a sulphate, once again enriching the soils. This is something I can contribute. Gentleman, keep the ideas flowing.