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The human body is made up of several elements, but not in equal proportions. The most abundant element in the human body is Oxygen (O), accounting for around 65% to 70% of total body mass.
Oxygen is a critical element because it is a major component of water (H₂O), which makes up nearly 60–70% of the human body. Every cell and tissue in the body depends on water, so oxygen naturally becomes the leading element. In addition, oxygen is present in organic molecules such as carbohydrates, fats, proteins, and nucleic acids, which form the structural and functional components of life.
Oxygen (O): ~65–70%
Carbon (C): ~18%
Hydrogen (H): ~10%
Nitrogen (N): ~3%
Other trace elements: Calcium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Sulfur, Sodium, Chlorine, Magnesium, Iron, etc.
These elements are sometimes remembered as the acronym CHON (Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen, Nitrogen) since they make up over 95% of the body’s mass.
Hydrogen (Option A): Although hydrogen atoms are more numerous, by mass they only account for about 10% of the body.
Blood (Option B): Blood is not an element; it is a mixture of cells and plasma.
Protein (Option D): Protein is a macromolecule composed of several elements, not a single element.
Essential for cellular respiration, the process by which cells generate energy (ATP).
Maintains pH balance in body fluids.
Integral to the structure of DNA, proteins, and cell membranes.
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