Key Elements in Living Organisms

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Macro nutrients

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97% of the mass of most living organisms consists of six elements: oxygen, carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulphur.

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Most common element in the earth's crust

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Oxygen is the most common element by weight in the earth's crust.

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Percentage of mass from six elements

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97% of the mass of most living organisms is made up of six elements.

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Oxygen's role in the atmosphere

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Oxygen is the second most common element in the atmosphere.

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Phosphorus storage in trees

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Phosphorus is moved into the permanent part of the tree before leaves fall.

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Birds contributed to phosphorus supply through their waste.

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Their waste was a natural fertilizer.

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Sea spray contributes phosphorus to the land.

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Phosphorus is an essential nutrient for plants and animals.

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Diagram of the phosphorus cycle

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Processes include geological uplift, leaching, erosion, and the role of organisms.

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Mostly found in sedimentary rocks such as shales and in sea water.

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The presence of oxygen depends on the location of the water table and presence of other elements such as iron.

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