The human body is a complex biological system made up of various elements and compounds. At the most basic level, we are composed of water, proteins, fats, carbohydrates, and nucleic acids like DNA. These components work together in intricate ways to create and maintain life.
The human body contains about sixty different chemical elements, but just six elements make up ninety-nine percent of our body mass. Oxygen is the most abundant at sixty-five percent, followed by carbon at eighteen percent, hydrogen at ten percent, nitrogen at three percent, calcium at two percent, and phosphorus at one percent. These elements combine to form the molecules that make life possible.
Water is the foundation of life in the human body, making up about sixty percent of adult body weight. Every cell, tissue, and organ depends on water to function properly. Water serves as a solvent for nutrients and waste products, helps regulate body temperature, lubricates joints, and maintains blood volume. Without adequate water, our bodies cannot survive more than a few days.
Proteins are the building blocks of life, making up about twenty percent of our body weight. They are made from chains of amino acids that fold into complex three-dimensional structures. Proteins serve many functions including building muscle tissue, acting as enzymes to speed up chemical reactions, transporting molecules throughout the body, and defending against infections as antibodies. Every protein has a specific shape that determines its unique function.