Importance of non metals in biological system

Presented by Muneeb Shah and

Muhammad Umar Farooq

Bioelements

• All elements necessary for them maintenance of life

• Without these elements life on the planet earth is impossible

• These are categorized into three groups • Major or principal elements• Minor elements• Trace elements

Major or Principal elements

• These are elements present in abundance in life forms

• These elements constitute about 93% of any life form

• This category contain only nonmetals • This group includes hydrogen oxygen carbon

and nitrogen

Minor Elements

• These elements constitute 5% (by weight) of cellular material

• It contains both metals and nonmetals • Metal elements are calcium potassium sodium

magnesium and iron • Constitute 3% of total • Nonmetals include sulphur chlorine iodine and

phosphorus• Constitute 2% of total

Trace Elements

• Form less than 1% of cellular weight• It also includes both metals and nonmetals• Metallic trace elements are zinc manganese

copper and cobalt• Nonmetallic elements are silicon fluorine and

boron

Nonmetal in biological systems

• Nonmetals essential for life forms are ; hydrogen carbon oxygen nitrogen phosphorus sulphur chlorine iodine fluorine boron and silicon

Hydrogen

• Hydrogen forms 63% of human body• Important constituent of water• Part of every molecule present in living organisms e.g. proteins

lipids carbohydrates DNA RNA etc.• Responsible for hydrogen bond present between bio molecules

i.e. in proteins DNA and RNA • Hydrogen ion concentration effect ph of body fluids• Role in electron transport chain• Being part of hydrogen peroxide act as antibacterial agent• Being part of HCl aid in digestion • Hydrogen pumps helps in generation of energy

Hydrogen pumpFunctioning of hydrogen pump

Oxygen

• Forms 25.5% of human body• Oxygen is absorbed by blood stream • Plays a vital role in breathing and respiration

process • Important role in metabolism• Important constituent of bio molecules and

water• Protector against disease causing agents • Its exposure results in good stamina

Oxygen absorb by blood cellsProcess showing absorption process of oxygen

Carbon

• Forms 9.5% of human body• Forms backbone chain of all bio molecules • Carbon dioxide is essential for plant life• Helps in maintenance of ph of body in forms

of carbonates and bicarbonate

Amino acid moleculeMolecule of an amino acid showing chain made of carbon

Nitrogen

• It constitute 1.4% of human body • Important part of proteins and nucleic acids• Thus important in almost every aspect of life

as protein is biological jack of all and nucleic acids are heredity molecules

• Found in metabolic waste in form of urea uric acid ammonia etc

DNA moleculeShowing importance of nitrogen in life

Phosphorus

• 0.22% of human body• Present in bones in form of phosphate • Providing framework to body • Important part of cell membrane giving it special

ability of being semi permeable • Present in lipoproteins• Part of energy currency of cells the ATP’s• Help in maintaining blood sugar levels • Help in regular contraction of heart

ATPEnergy currency of cell

chlorine

• Forms 0.33% of human body • Principal component of electrolyte content of body in

form chloride ions• It allows transmission of nerve signal • Regulate amount of fluids in body• Helps to flex the muscles • Help to digest food properly• Aid in immune system of body• Activate salivary amylase• Maintain osmotic balance

Transmission of nerve impulse Role of chloride ion in transmission of nerve impulse

Sulphur

• 0.05% of human body • Protect body from environmental hazards• Slows down aging process• Help liver to function properly • Role in blood clotting• Important part of protein• Aid in ejecting waste and poisonous material from body• Keeps skin clear by producing collagen• Makes hair glossy • Tones blood • Prevent bile secretion

insulinInsulin showing disulphide linkage

Iodine

• Keep thyroid gland healthy • Helps to heal wound• Helps us to grow and develop• Increases thinking process• Triggers break down of cholesterol• Important for health of heart• Controls beat rate• Keeps skin nails and hairs healthy• Manage blood sugar level•

Iodine deficiency causing goiterAbnormal growth of thyroid gland

Flourine

• It strengthen bones and teeth • Stimulate bone growth• Absence of fluorine cause bones to be brittle

and weak

Fluoride for healthier teethPrevent break down of enamel

Silicon

• Help in maintaining bones along with calcium• Aid in formation of connective tissues like

ligaments and tendons• Influential in preventing veins and arteries

from getting hard• Keep brain healthy

Selenium

• Protect blood cells from chemicals• Helps in producing antibodies• Keep pancreas healthy• Makes body tissue elastic

Hydrogen bond in DNA

The end