Atomic recycling and our bodies

[BigMacnFries]

I heard that each our bodies have on average a billion of shakespears body's atoms in them (A short history of nearly everything, Bill Bryson). Is there any truth in this, does that mean we have on average a billion of every persons atoms that has ever lived?

 

[quetzalcoatl9]

that is interesting, i have never heard that before, but i don't doubt it.

the atoms which make up our bodies are turned over several times in the average person's lifetime.

 

[ravenprp]

It is true that our bodies contain a vast number of atoms, and it is estimated that the average human body contains around a billion atoms that were once part of William Shakespeare's body. This is because atoms are constantly being recycled and reused in the environment. When a person dies, their body decomposes and the atoms that make up their body are released back into the environment. These atoms can then be incorporated into other living organisms, including humans.

However, it is not accurate to say that we have a billion atoms from every person who has ever lived. While some of the atoms in our bodies may have been part of other people's bodies in the past, it is impossible to determine exactly how many and from whom. This is because atoms are constantly being exchanged and recycled in the environment, and it is difficult to trace their origins. Additionally, atoms from different people may have been mixed and redistributed over time, making it impossible to distinguish them as belonging to a specific individual.

Overall, while it is fascinating to think about the interconnectedness of all living things through the recycling of atoms, it is important to recognize that this is a complex and ongoing process that cannot be easily quantified.