Our body is made up of various elements, and these elements can be classified into two categories: metals and non-metals. The following points explain why our body is considered non-metallic:
Chemical Composition: Our body is primarily made up of non-metallic elements such as carbon, oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen, calcium, and phosphorus. These elements are responsible for forming the building blocks of our body, such as proteins, DNA, and bones. Only a few metallic elements such as iron and zinc are present in trace amounts in our body.
Physical Properties: Our body exhibits physical properties that are characteristic of non-metals. For instance:
- Our body is not a good conductor of electricity. Non-metals are generally poor conductors of electricity, and our body falls under this category.
- Our body is not malleable or ductile. Non-metals are generally brittle and cannot be easily shaped or stretched. Our body is made up of bones that are hard and rigid, and cannot be easily molded.
- Our body is not lustrous. Non-metals do not have a shiny appearance, and our body is no exception.
Biological Processes: The biological processes that occur in our body are also characteristic of non-metals. For instance:
- Our body carries out respiration using non-metallic elements such as oxygen and carbon dioxide.
- Our body utilizes non-metallic elements such as calcium and phosphorus to maintain bone health.
- Our body uses non-metallic elements such as nitrogen to form amino acids, the building blocks of proteins.
In conclusion, our body is primarily composed of non-metallic elements and exhibits physical and biological properties that are characteristic of non-metals. Therefore, our body can be classified as non-metallic.
