I have some questions that relate to table 2.1 which lists the chemical elements that occur naturally in the human body. Similar percentages of these elements are found in most living organisms.
a. In what abiotic (non-life) chemical forms are these elements often found in nature?
I was thinking soil for this one.
b. In what chemical form do animals need to obtain these elements?
I was thinking magnesium
c. In what chemical form do plants need to obtain thse elements?
I was thinking water and soil
I am really not sure, I am having a hard time understanding the question.
Without the table indicated, we cannot adequately evaluate your answers.
a. In order to answer the question, we need to understand what abiotic chemical forms mean. Abiotic means non-living, so we are looking for the chemical forms of elements that are found in nature but not in living organisms. In the case of table 2.1, which lists the elements occurring naturally in the human body, we are interested in the abiotic forms of these elements.
To find the answer, you can refer to a chemistry or geology resource that discusses the natural occurrence of elements. One common abiotic form of elements found in nature is minerals. Elements can combine with other elements to form minerals, which are solid, inorganic substances. For example, calcium is often found in the abiotic form of calcium carbonate, which is a mineral known as limestone.
So, in answer to question a, abiotic chemical forms of elements found in nature can include minerals like limestone, as well as other types of compounds and substances.
b. To answer this question, we need to consider how animals obtain the elements listed in table 2.1. Animals cannot create these elements themselves and usually obtain them through their diet. Different elements have different chemical forms that animals need to consume.
Magnesium, for example, is an essential element for many biological processes in animals. It is typically found in chemical forms such as magnesium chloride or magnesium oxide. In order to obtain magnesium, animals need to consume food or water that contains these chemical forms of the element.
So, in answer to question b, animals typically need to obtain the elements listed in table 2.1 in specific chemical forms, such as magnesium chloride or magnesium oxide for magnesium.
c. Similarly to question b, plants also need to obtain the elements listed in table 2.1 in specific chemical forms. In the case of plants, they obtain these elements from their environment, primarily from the soil and water.
Water is essential for plants to absorb nutrients from the soil, so it plays a crucial role in obtaining the elements. In addition to water, plants also require certain chemical forms of elements present in the soil. These chemical forms can include various compounds and ions, such as nitrates, phosphates, sulfates, and carbonates.
So, in answer to question c, plants usually obtain the elements listed in table 2.1 from the soil in specific chemical forms, along with water.