What Elements Are Found in the Human Body?
There are 92 elements that occur naturally on Earth. For living things, only 11 of these elements are found in larger than trace quantities. Any amount 0.01% or less is considered a trace element. For vertebrates, such as humans, there are two additional elements that occur in larger than trace amounts these are Iodine and Iron. The periodic table of elements below is color coded to show the elements found in the human body.
The Top Four Elements Found in the Human Body
Of the elements found in the human body, four of them make up the largest percentage of our body weight (96.2%). The four elements are oxygen, hydrogen, carbon, nitrogen. Before you start thinking we should float away with all the oxygen, hydrogen, and nitrogen atoms, remember that the oxygen molecules are mainly part of the water in our body (H2O). In fact, over half of the human body is made up of water (50-70%).
Read more about: Building Blocks of Life
Bibliographic details:
- Article: Atoms & Life
- Author(s): Dr. Biology
- Publisher: Arizona State University School of Life Sciences Ask A Biologist
- Site name: ASU - Ask A Biologist
- Date published: 27 Sep, 2009
- Date accessed:
- Link: https://askabiologist.asu.edu/content/atoms-life
APA Style
Dr. Biology. (Sun, 09/27/2009 - 07:41). Atoms & Life. ASU - Ask A Biologist. Retrieved from https://askabiologist.asu.edu/content/atoms-life
Chicago Manual of Style
Dr. Biology. "Atoms & Life". ASU - Ask A Biologist. 27 Sep 2009. https://askabiologist.asu.edu/content/atoms-life
MLA 2017 Style
Dr. Biology. "Atoms & Life". ASU - Ask A Biologist. 27 Sep 2009. ASU - Ask A Biologist, Web. https://askabiologist.asu.edu/content/atoms-life
Be Part of
Ask A Biologist
By volunteering, or simply sending us feedback on the site. Scientists, teachers, writers, illustrators, and translators are all important to the program. If you are interested in helping with the website we have a Volunteers page to get the process started.