Elements in our Body and in

Technology
Research: How elements can affect our body and the technology

HUMAN BODY
Advantage and Disadvantages of Elements in Human
Body

What are the elements in the human

body?

Most of the human body is made up of water,

H2O, with cells consisting of 65-90% water by
weight.
Carbon, the basic unit for organic molecules,
comes in second.
99% of the mass of the human body is made
up of just six elements: oxygen, carbon,
hydrogen, nitrogen, calcium, and phosphorus.

Elemental Composition of the Human Body

Element Composition of the body
Oxygen
Carbon
Hydroge
n
Nitrogen
Calcium
Phospor
us
Potassiu
m
Sulfur
Sodium
Magnesi
um

1. Oxygen (65%)
2. Carbon (18%)
3. Hydrogen (10%)
4. Nitrogen (3%)
5.Calcium (1.5%)
6. Phosphorus (1.0%)
7.Potassium (0.35%)
8. Sulfur (0.25%)
9. Sodium (0.15%)
10. Magnesium (0.05%)
11.Copper, Zinc, Selenium,
Molybdenum, Fluorine,
Chlorine, Iodine, Manganese,
Cobalt, Iron (0.70%)
12.Lithium, Strontium, Aluminum,
Silicon, Lead, Vanadium,
Arsenic, Bromine
(trace
amounts)

Top 5 elements within the body

Top 5 Elements in our Body

Oxygen
Carbon
Hydrogen
Nitrogen
Calcium
Other Elements

Oxygen:
This element is obviously the most
important element in the human body.
Oxygen atoms are present in water, which
is the compound most common in the
body, and other compounds that make up
tissues.
It is also found in the blood and lungs due
to respiration.

Oxygen
Advantage/s:

Oxygen (O2) is one of the

most important elements
required to sustain life.
Without it, our health begins
to suffer and/or we die.
Unhealthy or weak cells due
to improper metabolism lose
their natural immunity and
are thus susceptible to
viruses and lead the way to
all kinds of serious health
problems.

Disadvantage/s:

The disadvantage of oxygen is not in

our body but in our community. Oxygen
causes rust (iron oxide)

Carbon:

The element carbon is not found in a pure

form in the human body, but rather in
compounds within the body.
Carbon constitutes roughly 18 percent of body
mass, and millions of carbon atoms form the
thousands of molecules in virtually every cell.

Carbon
Advantage/s

Carbon is the basic

building block required
to form proteins,
carbohydrates and fats,
and it plays a crucial
role in regulating the
physiology of the body.
Gaseous and liquid
compounds that contain
carbon also can affect
the body.

Disadvantage/s

Your carbon compounds are somewhat

fragile. High temperatures or some
radiations will break them apart.

Soot coats and darkens things.

Hydrogen:

Hydrogen is a component of water and most

other compounds in the body.
According to the Los Alamos National Labs,
hydrogen is the most abundant element in the
universe.
In fact, hydrogen makes up an estimated 90
percent of all atoms.
In most cases, when you hear about
hydrogen, it is usually in the context of outer
space, military weapons or fuel sources for
cars.
However hydrogen is also a crucial element in
the operation of the human body.

Hydrogen
Advantage/s:

One of the major ways that

hydrogen is used in the body
is in water.

Water is made up of twothirds hydrogen atoms.

Because of hydrogen, the

cells are able to remain
hydrated, toxins and waste
are able to be eliminated from
the body, nutrients are able
to be transported to the cells
that need them, your joints
are lubricated, and your
body's immune system is able
to send defensive cells to
fight of infection-causing

Disadvantage/s:

Hydrogenated fats are

more stable than unaltered
unsaturated fats, so fat
hydrogenation increases
the shelf life of foods.
Unfortunately, consumption
of hydrogenated fats
increases heart disease
risk.

H2O can make us acidic if

the minerals are removed.

Nitrogen:

Nitrogen are found in proteins, nucleic acids,

and other organic compounds; 78% of the air
we breathe is nitrogen but only 21% oxygen.
Our body needs nitrogen to make proteins in
our muscles, skin, blood, hair, nails and DNA.
Our obtain nitrogen from protein-containing
foods in our diet, according to the Royal
Society of Chemistry. These foods include
meat, fish, legumes, nuts, eggs, milk and
other dairy products.

Nitrogen
Advantage/s:

Our body needs the nitrogen in

amino acids from protein foods
to make other amino acids it
uses to synthesize human
proteins, according to Virtual
Chembook at Elmhurst
College.

Not only do your various

tissues contain protein, your
metabolic processes depend
upon enzymes, all of which
consist of various kinds of
proteins. The nucleic acid DNA,
which makes up your genes,
and RNA, which is involved in
protein synthesis, also contain

Disadvantage/s
We

all know that some

restaurants uses liquid nitrogen
for instant freezing foods and to
have a smoke effect but according
to Professor Peter Barham, from
the University of Bristol's School
of Physics, says liquid nitrogen is
"simply the harmless gas
nitrogen, which has been cooled
to such a low temperature that it
becomes a liquid".
But he says the liquefied gas,
which is intensely cold, can cause
frostbite or cryogenic burns if it is
not used, and handled, properly.

Calcium:

Calcium are found mainly in bones and teeth.

Important for membrane function, nerve
impulses, muscle contractions, and blood
clotting.
Calcium is a primary component of the
skeletal system, including the teeth.
It is also found in the nervous system,
muscles, and the blood.

Calcium
Advantage/s

Calciumis used for treatment

and prevention of
lowcalciumlevels and
resulting bone conditions
includingosteoporosis(weak
bones due to low bone
density),rickets(a condition in
children involving softening of
the bones), and osteomalacia
(a softening of bones involving
pain).

Calciumis also used

forpremenstrual syndrome
(PMS),
legcrampsinpregnancy, high
blood pressurein pregnancy

Disadvantage/s

As a supplement, there's always the

risk of taking too much liquid calcium
and experiencing adverse health
effects. In addition, liquid calcium
doesn't save you from the side effects
inherent to extra calcium intake.
Moreover, taking excessive amounts of
calcium over time raises risk of kidney
stones in some people.

Other Element Facts

Phosphorus, Potassium, Sulfur, Sodium, Magnesium

Phosphorus:

Phosphorus is an essential mineral primarily

used for growth and repair of body cells and
tissues. According to the University of
Maryland Medical Center, all body cells
contain phosphorus, with 85 percent found in
bones and teeth.
There, together with calcium, phosphorus
provides structure and strength. Phosphorus is
also required for a variety of biochemical
processes including energy production and pH
regulation.

Potassium:

Potassium is a very significant body mineral,

important to both cellular and electrical function. It is
one of the main blood minerals called "electrolytes"
(the others are sodium and chloride), which means it
carries a tiny electrical charge (potential).
Potassium is the primary positive ion (cation) found
within the cells, where 98 percent of the 120 grams
of potassium contained in the body is found.
The blood serum contains about 4-5 mg. (per 100
ml.) of the total potassium; the red blood cells
contain 420 mg., which is why a red-blood-cell level
is a better indication of an individual's potassium
status than the commonly used serum level.

Sulfur:

Sulfur represents about 0.25 percent of our

total body weight, similar to potassium.
The body contains approximately 140 grams
of sulfur-mainly in the proteins, although it is
distributed in small amounts in all cells and
tissues.
Sulfur has a characteristic odor that can be
smelled when hair or sheep's wool is burned.
Keratin, present in the skin, hair, and nails, is
particularly high in the amino acid cystine,
which is found in sulfur.
The sulfur-sulfur bond in keratin gives it
greater strength.

Sodium:

Although sodium is often maligned as a cause

of high blood pressure, it also plays several
essential roles in the body.
Sodium helps control blood pressure and
regulates the function of muscles and nerves,
which is why sodium concentrations are
carefully controlled by the body.
However, most people consume far more
sodium than their bodies need.

Magnesium:

Without magnesium we could not produce

energy, our muscles would be in a permanent
state of contraction, and we could not adjust
the levels of cholesterol produced and
released into the blood stream.
Magnesium is the central element in
chlorophyll and the basis of early life on the
planet.
Magnesium ions regulate over 300
biochemical reactions in the body through
their role as enzyme co-factors. They also play
a vital role in the reactions that generate and
use ATP, the fundamental unit of energy

Body and Technology

Elements in Both Body and Technology

Technology

the application of scientific knowledge for

practical purposes, especially in industry.
"advances in computer technology"
machinery and equipment developed from the
application of scientific knowledge.
the branch of knowledge dealing with
engineering or applied sciences.

Elements can be Found Among

Technologies

Rare earths are a series of chemical

elements found in the Earths crust that are
vital to many modern technologies, including
consumer electronics, computers and
networks, communications, clean energy,
advanced transportation, health care,
environmental mitigation, national defense,
and many others.

Elements can be Found Among

Technologies

Because of their unique magnetic,

luminescent, and electrochemical properties,
these elements help make many technologies
perform with reduced weight, reduced
emissions, and energy consumption; or give
them greater efficiency, performance,
miniaturization, speed, durability, and thermal
stability.

Elements can be Found Among

Technologies

Rare earth-enabled products and technologies

help fuel global economic growth, maintain
high standards of living, and even save lives.

Elements can be Found Among

Technologies

There are 17 elements that are considered to

be rare earth elements15 elements in the
lanthanide series and two additional elements
that share similar chemical properties. They
are listed below in order of atomic number
(Z):

Scandium or Sc (21)
Yttrium or Y (39)
Lanthanum or La (57)
Cerium or Ce (58)
Praseodymium or Pr (59)
Neodymium or Nd (60)
Promethium or Pm (61)
Samarium or Sm (62)
Europium or Eu (63)
Gadolinium or Gd (64)
Terbium or Tb (65)

Dysprosium or Dy (66)
Holmium or Ho (67)
Erbium or Er (68)
Thulium or Tm (69)
Ytterbium or Yb (70)
Lutetium or Lu (71)

The 5 rare element having lowest atomic

number are:

Scandium or Sc (21)
Yttrium or Y (39)
Lanthanum or La (57)
Cerium or Ce (58)
Praseodymium or Pr (59)

Scandium or Sc (21)

Scandium, a silvery-white metal, is a nonlanthanide rare earth. It is used in many

popular consumer products, such as
televisions and fluorescent or energy-saving
lamps. In industry, the primary use of
scandium is to strengthen metal compounds.
The only concentrated sources of scandium
currently known are in rare minerals such as
thortveitite, euxenite, and gadolinite from
Scandinavia and Madagascar.

Advantage/Disadvantage of Scandium:

Separation and purification of scandium by solvent

extraction and related technologies: a review

The technologies of solvent extraction, ion exchange, and

liquid membrane for the separation and purification of
scandium are reviewed. Acidic and neutral organophosphorus extractants are most widely used in practice,
with high extraction efficiencies.
Their disadvantages originate from the high stripping
acidity required for the former and the poor selectivity for
the latter. Carboxylic acids, amines, and acidic -diketone
have also been widely used to extract scandium from
solutions with low acidities. Mixed extractants or synergistic
systems for the solvent extraction of scandium have been
developed.

Advantage/Disadvantage of Scandium:

Extraction efficiencies are influenced by

extraction conditions such as aqueous
matrixes and acidities, types of diluents and
A/O ratios. Scandium(III) extractions are
interfered with by commonly associated
elements such as iron(III), zirconium(IV),
titanium(IV), thorium(IV), yttrium(III) and
lanthanides(III). The advantages and
disadvantages of applications of ion exchange
and liquid membrane technologies for
scandium recovery are reviewed and
compared with solvent extraction. Copyright
2011 Society of Chemical Industry

Yttrium or Y (39)

Yttrium is a non-lanthanide rare earth element

used in many vital applications, such as
superconductors, powerful pulsed lasers,
cancer treatment drugs, rheumatoid arthritis
medicines, and surgical supplies. A silvery
metal, it is also used in many popular
consumer products, such as color televisions
and camera lenses.

Advantage/Disadvantage of Yttrium:

Advantages and disadvantages of applying yttrium stabilized

zirconium-dioxide post and core restorations.
Full ceramic restorations are associated with metal free post and
core prosthodontics for teeth with seriously destroyed clinical
crowns. Using custom made zirconium-dioxide post and cores can be
flattering not only to give a good aesthetic result, but also to provide
excellent retention. As none of the post systems stands all demands,
prudent planning is mandatory. Our paper deals with favourable and
unfavourable conditions as well as common causes of failures of post
and core restorations. We took morphological, esthetical and
functional considerations that can help to achieve the best results.
Amongst them individual anatomic constitution, shape, width and
length of the root and root canal, shape of the clinical crown,
direction and magnitude of chewing forces are the most important
factors. To give examples we present two cases of zirconium-dioxide
post and core restorations. In our first case the missing clinical crown
and a too wide root canal entrance created a questionable prognosis.

Advantage/Disadvantage of Yttrium:

To minimize adverse effect of the missing

ferrule effect we applied custom-made
zirconium-dioxide post and core and an
additional abutment. After 7 years the
restoration is still functioning. The second
case represented a much favourable situation
with 1,5 mm clinical crown height. The
restoration was a custom-made zirconia post
and core and a full-ceramic crown as a single
tooth restoration. Although in this case we
expected a better prognosis, 15 months later
the patient showed up with a post fracture for
applying extreme forces on the crown.

Lanthanum or La (57)

This silver-white metal is one of the most

reactive rare earth elements. It is used to
make special optical glasses, including
infrared absorbing glass, camera and
telescope lenses, and can also be used to
make steel more malleable. Other applications
for lanthanum include wastewater treatment
and petroleum refining.

Advantage/Disadvantage of Lanthanum :

Efficacy and safety of lanthanum carbonate on

chronic kidney diseasemineral and bone
disorder in dialysis patients: a systematic
review
Background

Chronic kidney diseasemineral and bone disorder

(CKDMBD) is a common complication in CKD
patients, particularly in those with end-stage renal
disease that requires dialysis. Lanthanum carbonate
(LC) is a potent, non-aluminum, non-calcium
phosphate binder. This systematic review evaluates
the efficacy and safety of LC in CKD-MBD treatment
for maintenance-dialysis patients.

Advantage/Disadvantage of Lanthanum :

Methods

A systematic review and meta-analysis on

randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-RCTs
was performed to assess the efficacy and safety of
LC in maintenance hemodialysis or peritoneal
dialysis patients. Analysis was performed using
the statistical software Review Manager 5.1.

Advantage/Disadvantage of Lanthanum :

Results

Sixteen RCTs involving 3789 patients were identified and retained for this
review. No statistical difference was found in all-cause mortality. The
limited number of trials was insufficient to show the superiority of LC over
other treatments in lowering vascular calcification or cardiovascular
events and in improving bone morphology, bone metabolism, or bone
turn-over parameters. LC decreased the serum phosphorus level and
calcium phosphate product (Ca P) as compared to placebo. LC,
calcium carbonate (CC), and sevelamer hydrochloride (SH) were
comparable in terms of controlling the serum phosphorus, Ca P
product, and intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) levels. However, LC
resulted in a lower serum calcium level and a higher bone-specific
alkaline phosphatase level compared with CC. LC had higher total
cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels compared
with SH. LC-treated patients appeared to have a higher rate of vomiting
and lower risk of hypercalcemia, diarrhea, intradialytic hypotension,
cramps or myalgia, and abdominal pain. Meta-analysis showed no
significant difference in the incidence of other side effects. Accumulation
of LC in blood and bone was below toxic levels.

Advantage/Disadvantage of Lanthanum :

Conclusions

LC has high efficacy in lowering serum phosphorus

and iPTH levels without increasing the serum
calcium. Current evidence does not show a higher
rate of adverse effects for LC compared with other
treatments, except for a higher incidence of
vomiting. Moreover, LC accumulation in blood and
bone was below toxic levels. Well-designed studies
should be conducted to evaluate the long-term
effects of LC.

Cerium or Ce (58)

Named for the Roman goddess of agriculture,

Ceres, cerium is a silvery-white metal that
easily oxidizes in the air. It is the most
abundant of the rare earth elements and has
many uses. For instance, cerium oxide is used
as a catalyst in catalytic converters in
automotive exhaust systems to reduce
emissions, and is highly desirable for precision
glass polishing. Cerium can also be used in
iron, magnesium and aluminum alloys,
magnets, certain types of electrodes, and
carbon-arc lighting.

Advantage/Disadvantage of Cerium :

Health effects of cerium

Cerium is one of the rare chemicals, that can be found in houses in equipment such as
colour televisions, fluorescent lamps, energy-saving lamps and glasses. All rare
chemicals have comparable properties.
Cerium is mostly dangerous in the working environment, due to the fact that damps
and gasses can be inhaled with air. This can cause lung embolisms, especially during
long-term exposure. Cerium can be a threat to the liver when it accumulates in the
human body.
Cerium has no know biological role, but it has been noted that cerium salts stimulate
metabolism.
Environmental effects of cerium
Cerium is dumped in the environment in many different places, mainly by petrolproducing industries. It can also enter the environment when household equipment is
thrown away. Cerium will gradually accumulate in soils and water soils and this will
eventually lead to increasing concentrations in humans, animals and soil particles.
With water animals cerium causes damage to cell membranes, which has several
negative influences on reproduction and on the functions of the nervous system.
Thanks to its use in catalytic converters cerium is slowly improving the atmosphere of
cities, or wherever diesel engines operates. Diesel engines emits particulates, carbon
particles only a few micrometers in diameter. One way to reduce particulates emissions
is trap them in a ceramic filter and then burn them off. If a little cerium oxide is added
to the fuel itself, it will catalyse the burning of the particulates and eliminate them.

Praseodymium or Pr (59)

This soft, silvery metal was first used to create

a yellow-orange stain for ceramics. Although
still used to color certain types of glasses and
gemstones, praseodymium is primarily used in
rare earth magnets. It can also be found in
applications as diverse as creating highstrength metals found in aircraft engines and
in flint for starting fires.

Advantage/Disadvantage of
Praseodymium :

It is used as a core material for carbon arc

lights used by the motion picture industry.
Salts used to colour glasses and enamels;
when mixed with certain other materials,
praseodymium produces an intense clean
yellow colour in glass. Component of
didymium glass which is a colourant for
welder's goggles.
Misch metal, used in making cigarette
lighters, contains about 5% praseodymium
metal.
Alloys

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Thank You for Listening

Prepared by: Sherilyn Bunag, Mitch Andrea Chavez,
Febi Andrae Magdato