The most frequently occurring chemical elements in living things are carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen (C, H, O, N)
Trace elements (or mineral nutrients) are the other chemical elements required by living things
Biologically significant trace elements include:
Calcium (Ca) – Important for neurotransmitter release from synapses
Iron (Fe) – Found in haemoglobin and needed for oxygen transport
Sodium (Na) – Involved in the generation of nerve impulses in neurone
Phosphorus (P) – Component of nucleic acids and cell membranes
Sulphur (S) – Found in some amino acids, allows disulphide bonds to form
Mnemonic: Cafe Naps
Summary of Biologically Important Trace Elements
