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Multiple Choice
How many different chemical elements are found in the human body?
A
Only 4
B
Exactly 10
C
Over 100
D
About 25
Verified step by step guidance
1
Step 1: Begin by understanding what a chemical element is. A chemical element is a substance that cannot be broken down into simpler substances by chemical means. Examples include oxygen (O), carbon (C), and hydrogen (H).
Step 2: Recognize that the human body is composed of various elements that are essential for its structure and function. These elements are found in different proportions and serve specific roles, such as forming molecules, maintaining cellular processes, and supporting metabolic activities.
Step 3: Identify the major elements that make up the human body. These include oxygen (O), carbon (C), hydrogen (H), and nitrogen (N), which together account for about 96% of the body's mass.
Step 4: Note that there are additional elements present in smaller amounts, such as calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), sulfur (S), sodium (Na), chlorine (Cl), and magnesium (Mg). These are considered essential for various biological functions.
Step 5: Understand that trace elements, such as iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), iodine (I), selenium (Se), and others, are also found in the human body in very small quantities. In total, about 25 different chemical elements are known to be present in the human body, contributing to its structure and function.