The elements of life

Abstract

Here we describe the function of essential elements in biology and discuss about various aspects of these elements in human life as well as in bacteria and plants. The article highlights the importance of 28 essential elements in life from both chemical and biological perspective and their role in enzyme functions and several other biological pathways. Although the journey through periodic table illustrates the specific functions of a few elements, there may be other elements whose functions in living systems are poorly understood. Many drug molecules and metal-complexes have been discovered in the recent past for diagnosis and therapeutic purpose, which also highlight the importance of metal ions and synergistic functions of elements in human and other organisms.