CHAPTER 4
CHAPTER 4: CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF THE CELL4.1ELEMENTS IN THE CELL
Class of elementsElement and its composition in the cell (%)Function in
Animal cellPlant cell
Essential element (96%)Oxygen (O) = 65Carbon (C) = 18.5
Hydrogen (H) = 9.5
Nitrogen (N) = 3.3Form the main groups of chemical compounds in the cell eg: water, proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, lipids, vitamins and other compounds
Trace element (< 4%)Calcium (Ca) = 1.51-Contraction of muscle cells
2- Formation of bone cells1-Formation of middle lamella of cell wall
2- Maintain the semi-permeability of the PM
Phosphorous (P) = 1.0Same as calciumAids in cell division
Synthesizing ATPs and nucleic acids
Potassium (K) = 0.4Transmission of nervous impulsesFormation of the cell wall
Sulphur (S) = 0.31- Aids in cell division
2- Helps in well-functioning of enzymes
3- Synthesizing amino acids/protein
Sodium (Na) = 0.21- Maintaining the osmotic pressure in cells
2- Transmission of nervous impulsesNot required
Chlorine (Cl) = 0.21-Synthesizing stomach hydrochloric acid
2- Transmission of nervous impulsesNot required
Magnesium (Mg) = 0.1Synthesizing proteinSynthesizing protein and chlorophyll
Activators for certain enzymes
Ultra-trace element
(
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