CHAPTER 4

CHAPTER 4: CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF THE CELL4.1ELEMENTS IN THE CELL

Class of elementsElement and its composition in the cell (%)Function in

Animal cellPlant cell

Essential element (96%)Oxygen (O) = 65Carbon (C) = 18.5

Hydrogen (H) = 9.5

Nitrogen (N) = 3.3Form the main groups of chemical compounds in the cell eg: water, proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, lipids, vitamins and other compounds

Trace element (< 4%)Calcium (Ca) = 1.51-Contraction of muscle cells

2- Formation of bone cells1-Formation of middle lamella of cell wall

2- Maintain the semi-permeability of the PM

Phosphorous (P) = 1.0Same as calciumAids in cell division

Synthesizing ATPs and nucleic acids

Potassium (K) = 0.4Transmission of nervous impulsesFormation of the cell wall

Sulphur (S) = 0.31- Aids in cell division

2- Helps in well-functioning of enzymes

3- Synthesizing amino acids/protein

Sodium (Na) = 0.21- Maintaining the osmotic pressure in cells

2- Transmission of nervous impulsesNot required

Chlorine (Cl) = 0.21-Synthesizing stomach hydrochloric acid

2- Transmission of nervous impulsesNot required

Magnesium (Mg) = 0.1Synthesizing proteinSynthesizing protein and chlorophyll

Activators for certain enzymes

Ultra-trace element

(