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→Biological classification of elements
Naturally occurring elements are classified into major elements, minor elements, trace elements and noble gases (Fig. 3).
Naturally occurring elements are classified into major elements, minor elements, trace elements and noble gases (Fig. 3).
[[FIG 3]]
[[File:UNN_Medical_Geology_Fig_3.png|thumb|400px|{{figure number|3}}]]
According to Nordberg, and Cherian (2005) major elements are those elements that are needed in large quantities in the body; each makes more than 1% of the human body (oxygen alone making up to 65% of the body). They include hydrogen, oxygen, carbon and nitrogen. These elements form most of the DNA structures in the human body; they occur in most organs and tissues. In addition, they are the main building blocks of enzymes; they are also important constituents of the cell membrane, inter-cellular, intracellular fluids and are actively involved in metabolic processes, all in their ionic states. Hence, in the event of high intake of these elements, the body has many ‘sites’ where they can be used. Nature provides a good abundance of these elements as it has been observed that the concentration of these elements is fairly the same in similar rocks and show the least variance compared to the minor and trace elements. Thus, they rarely pose problems (Selinus et al, 2013).
According to Nordberg, and Cherian (2005) major elements are those elements that are needed in large quantities in the body; each makes more than 1% of the human body (oxygen alone making up to 65% of the body). They include hydrogen, oxygen, carbon and nitrogen. These elements form most of the DNA structures in the human body; they occur in most organs and tissues. In addition, they are the main building blocks of enzymes; they are also important constituents of the cell membrane, inter-cellular, intracellular fluids and are actively involved in metabolic processes, all in their ionic states. Hence, in the event of high intake of these elements, the body has many ‘sites’ where they can be used. Nature provides a good abundance of these elements as it has been observed that the concentration of these elements is fairly the same in similar rocks and show the least variance compared to the minor and trace elements. Thus, they rarely pose problems (Selinus et al, 2013).