Elements and compounds are present everywhere. Whether it’s the chair that we use to sit down, or the computer that we use to write blogs. Even our body composes of elements and compounds.
To understand the uses of elements and components, we must first know the meaning of it.
Definition of elements and compounds.
Elements are chemically the simplest substance which cannot be separated or broken down through chemical reactions. One reliable way of identifying whether if it’s an element or not is by referring to the periodic table of elements, as shown in the picture below.
When we chemically combine elements, the result will ultimately be a compound. For example, sodium, a soft silver-white reactive metal, and chloride, a greenish poison gas, combined will result in sodium chloride, or just simply salt.
Uses of elements and compounds especially to our body
Our body composes of many elements. One example of which is oxygen(O), which surprisingly comprises 65% of our body composition. Oxygen is found in many key organic compounds. For example, when oxygen is combined with hydrogen (H), it will form water, which is essential in regulating temperature and osmotic pressure. Another example is carbon(C), which comprises 18% of our body composition. Carbon is used to build carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. Last example is calcium(Ca), which comprises 1.5% of our body composition. Calcium can be found in bones and teeth, and is essential for protein regulation and muscle contraction.
Our body not only composes of elements, but also compounds. One example of which has previously been stated, which is water (H20). Another example is carbohydrates(Cx(H2O)y) which only accounts for about 1% of body mass. Humans use this compound as an energy source. Last example is lipid, which consists of repeating units of fatty acids(CH3(CH2)nCOOH). This compound is very important because they function as structural components of cell membranes, sources of insulation, and a way of energy source.
Not only elements and compounds are useful towards our body, but also to our society in many ways. For example, sodium chloride(NaCI), or simply salt, can be used to enhance food taste and quality. It can also be used to preserve food and help food last longer. Another example is carbon dioxide(CO2), which is essential for vital plant and animals processes, such as photosynthesis and respiration. Last example is water(H20), which is one of the necessities in order to keep a community, or rather a population, alive and active.
This concludes that elements and compounds are useful, especially towards our body. This also proves how important elements and compounds are. Without elements and compounds, we would pretty much not exist at all.
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