Chemical Elements In Life

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Contents Preface About the Author About the Translators Chapter 1 Introduction: Chemistry and Life 1.1 Introduction 1.2 Chemistry and life Chapter 2 Origin of the Universe and the Chemical Elements 2.1 Beginning of the universe — legends and theories 2.2 The universe is expanding 2.2.1 Question 1: Why is the sky dark at night? 2.2.2 Question 2: What is the reason for the redshift in frequency in the celestial body spectra? 2.3 The Big Bang Theory 2.3.1 A short history of the Big Bang Theory 2.3.2 Eight stages of the Big Bang 2.3.3 Where did the universe come from? 2.3.4 What is the future of the universe? 2.4 The birth of chemical elements 2.4.1 Initial nucleosynthesis of the chemical elements — the big bang nucleosynthesis 2.4.2 Stellar nucleosynthesis of chemical elements 2.4.3 Supernova nucleosynthesis of chemical elements 2.4.4 Formation of the earth 2.5 Boundary of the kingdom of chemical elements Chapter 3 The Evolution of Life and Life Elements 3.1 Studies on the origin of life 3.1.1 Who created life? 3.1.2 Origin of life — Part I: Chemical evolution theory 3.1.3 Origin of life — Part II: Early panspermia theory 3.1.4 Origin of life — Part III: New panspermia theory 3.1.5 Origin of life — Part IV: Newer theories on origin of life on earth 3.1.6 Evolutionary history on earth 3.1.6.1 The DNA/RNA World Hypotheses 3.1.6.2 Brief Summary of the Evolutionary History on Earth 3.2 Formation of bio-elements 3.2.1 Natural selection of life elements 3.2.2 Selection rules of life elements during the evolution of life 3.2.3 Classification of life elements 3.3 Sources of the chemical elements in living organisms 3.3.1 The earth is the source of chemical elements in living organisms 3.3.2 Sources of life elements in living organisms I: Natural freshwater 3.3.3 Source of life elements in living organisms II: Ocean 3.3.4 Source of life elements in living organisms III: Soil and rock 3.3.5 Source of life elements in living organisms IV: Atmosphere 3.4 Major life elements and their characteristics 3.4.1 Major life substances in living organisms 3.4.2 Major forms of life elements 3.4.3 Main characteristics of life elements 3.4.4 Life elements are closely related to biogeochemical cycling 3.5 Environmental factors influencing the evolution of life elements 3.5.1 Effects caused by the differences and changes in external environments 3.5.2 Impact of environmental destruction on mankind Chapter 4 Major Elements in Life — Part I 4.1 Carbon is the material basis of life 4.1.1 Why carbon for life on Earth? 4.1.2 What are the main roles of carbon in life? 4.2 Carbohydrates 4.2.1 Photosynthesis 4.2.2 Monosaccharide 4.2.3 Disaccharide 4.2.4 Polysaccharide 4.2.5 Mucopolysaccharide 4.2.6 Glycoproteins and proteoglycans 4.2.7 Glycoproteins in erythrocytes and blood types 4.2.8 Vitamin C 4.3 Important physiological functions of carbohydrates 4.3.1 Main physiological functions of carbohydrates 4.3.2 Information recognition ability of carbohydrates 4.4 Lipids 4.4.1 Triglycerides, fatty acids and waxes 4.4.2 Phospholipids and glycolipids 4.4.3 Steroids 4.4.4 Prostaglandin 4.4.5 Fat-soluble vitamins 4.4.6 Phytosterol 4.4.7 Main physiological functions of lipid compounds 4.5 Carbon metabolism in living organisms 4.5.1 Carbon sources 4.5.2 Carbon cycle in living organisms 4.5.3 Disorders of carbohydrate metabolism — diabetes 4.5.4 Disorders of lipid metabolism — cardiovascular diseases Chapter 5 Major Elements in Life — Part II 5.1 Life and nitrogen 5.2 Amino acids 5.2.1 Structure and classification of amino acids 5.2.2 Non-protein amino acids 5.3 Peptides 5.3.1 Polypeptides 5.3.2 Some peptides with important functions 5.4 Proteins 5.4.1 Protein structure 5.4.2 Classification of proteins 5.4.3 Physiological functions of proteins 5.4.4 Synthetic proteins 5.5 Enzymes, vitamins and hormones 5.5.1 Enzymes 5.5.2 The vitamin B complex 5.5.3 Hormones 5.5.4 Hormones and human emotions 5.6 Nucleic acids and genes 5.6.1 Nucleic acids 5.6.2 Genomic and post-genomic study 5.6.3 Heredity and life cycles 5.7 Other important nitrogen-containing small molecular compounds in living organisms 5.7.1 Neurotransmitters 5.7.2 Alkaloids 5.7.3 Nitrate in plants 5.7.4 Nitric oxide in the human body 5.8 Metabolism and circulation of nitrogen in the human body 5.9 Nutrition and food pyramid Chapter 6 Major Elements in Life — Part III 6.1 Oxygen and life 6.1.1 Oxygen produced from water by photosynthesis 6.1.2 Oxygen and breathing 6.1.3 Inhalation and transportation of oxygen in living organisms 6.2 Merits and faults of oxygen 6.2.1 Merits of oxygen 6.2.2 Oxygen is also potentially toxic 6.2.3 Excess oxygen is harmful for life 6.2.4 Are active oxygen radicals really the chief culprit of aging? 6.2.5 Antioxidant compounds in life 6.2.6 Hypoxia is equally harmful 6.3 Hydrogen in life 6.3.1 Hydrogen ion and acid–base balance 6.3.2 Hydrogen ion and body fluid 6.3.3 Regulation of hydrogen ions in the human body 6.3.4 Hydrogen ion and sense of taste 6.3.5 Hydrogen in human body and medical diagnosis 6.3.6 Oxidation of hydrogen is the essence of biological oxidation processes 6.4 Water and life 6.4.1 Chemical properties of water 6.4.2 Water in the human body 6.4.3 Water channels or aquaporins 6.4.4 Physiological functions of water 6.4.5 Humans and drinking water 6.5 Calcium and phosphorus 6.5.1 Bone, teeth and plasma 6.5.2 Main physiological roles of calcium ions 6.5.3 Osteogenesis and osteotomy 6.5.4 Calcium absorption 6.5.5 Phosphate — the energy warehouse 6.5.6 Physiological effects and absorption of phosphorus 6.6 Sodium and potassium 6.6.1 Sodium and potassium in human body 6.6.2 Physiological effects of sodium and potassium 6.6.3 Ion channels and Na+-K+ pump 6.6.4 Absorption of sodium and potassium in the human body 6.6.5 Effect of sodium and potassium on plant growth 6.7 Chlorine and sulfur 6.7.1 Chlorine 6.7.2 Sulfur 6.8 Magnesium 6.8.1 Magnesium and chlorophyll 6.8.2 Magnesium and the human body Chapter 7 Trace Elements and Human Health 7.1 Essential (and potentially essential) trace elements 7.1.1 Iodine 7.1.2 Zinc 7.1.3 Selenium 7.1.4 Iron 7.1.5 Copper, molybdenum, cobalt, chromium 7.1.6 Manganese, silicon, nickel, boron, vanadium 7.2 Trace elements that may have necessary functions at low doses but are potentially toxic to the human body 7.2.1 Fluorine 7.2.2 Tin, lithium, aluminum 7.3 Potentially necessary but toxic elements 7.4 Poisonous and harmful elements 7.4.1 Lead 7.4.2 Mercury 7.4.3 Cadmium 7.4.4 Arsenic 7.5 Study on trace elements 7.5.1 Effects of deficient or excessive trace elements on life 7.5.2 Interaction between trace elements 7.5.3 Distribution, metabolism and balance of trace elements in the human body 7.5.4 The current situation of trace elements in the human body Chapter 8 Let the Tree of Life Be Evergreen 8.1 Development of human society has caused damage to the environment 8.1.1 The carbon cycle has been seriously disturbed by humans 8.1.2 The destruction of nitrogen and sulfur cycles has caused global acid rain and air pollution 8.1.3 Phosphorus- and nitrogen-containing wastewater and industrial pollution damage water resources 8.2 Environmental pollution causes infectious diseases to spread around the world 8.2.1 Environmental problems worldwide have threatened human survival 8.3 Mankind’s dream — let the tree of life be evergreen 8.3.1 Mankind’s reflection: We share a common destiny with the earth 8.3.2 Let science answer: How can we make the tree of life evergreen? 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