Question

What six elements are most important to human life?

Answer 1

Hint: The elements are required by all the living organisms in various forms and they are helpful in fulfilling their requirement of nutrition and also help them to perform various functions and processes. Their deficiency will result in various diseases.

Complete answer:
An element is a pure substance that constitutes a single atom or atoms and has a similar number of protons in the nucleus of their atom. They are the simpler substances that cannot be broken by any chemical reactions.
The six most important elements to human life are as follows:
1) Carbon: The life forms on the earth as said to be the carbon-based life form as the first life appeared was due to carbon. They are responsible for the formation of various structures of proteins and nucleic acids that help in the occurrence of various processes and functions and also carry genetic information. They are found to be easily bonded with other elements and thus form various substances and compounds.
2) Hydrogen: It is the simplest element with one proton and only one neutron. They easily bond to other elements and form various important compounds, one of them is the water. When hydrogen combines with oxygen it will form water which is the crucial compound for all living beings.
3) Nitrogen: It is the most abundant element present in the earth’s atmosphere which is around $78\mathrm{\%}$ of the total amount of gases present. It is an important source in the manufacturing of proteins and genetic material both DNA and RNA in the body. The genetic material will help in the transfer of characters from parents to the offspring.
4) Oxygen: The human body is composed of around $65\mathrm{\%}$ oxygen and is the most important element for living beings. It is also present in large amounts in the atmosphere. Oxygen is dissolved in water and is present largely in this form which is helpful in the production of energy.
5) Phosphorus: It is important for the formation of the cell membrane structure called phospholipids in all living beings. This layer acts as the protection and safeguard of the cell from damage and gives the cell rigidity and definite shape and structure. This layer also acts as the semipermeable membrane and allows the entry of only those particles that are useful for the cells.
6) Sulfur: It is important for the formation of amino acids called cysteine and methionine which are important for the production of various proteins that are useful in repair and damage mechanisms.

Note:
The elements are present in the body in different amounts according to their need. The elements when present and required in the large amount are called the macromolecules while the elements when present and required in the small amount are called the micro molecules.