Elemental composition of the body

Lisa!

So when it says that 10% of the body mass consists of Hydrogen, does it mean only 1H(single proton) or it also includes other natural isotopes of hydrogen (deuterium and tritium ) ? I know that 1H is the most common hydrogen isotope with an abundance of more than 99.98%, but I just wanted to know exaactly what it means.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Composi...the_human_body

Thanks

chemisttree

That includes all of the isotopes of hydrogen. It will reflect the isotopic distribution of everything you ingest. I'm not too sure about tritium though. I would hope that particular isotope is present in extremely low concentrations.

Lisa!

Quote by chemisttree

That includes all of the isotopes of hydrogen. It will reflect the isotopic distribution of everything you ingest. I'm not too sure about tritium though. I would hope that particular isotope is present in extremely low concentrations.

Thank you!

Borek

To muddy water - isotopic distribution is not always identical.

See for example here.

Not that it is something new, fact that atomic masses of elements are different depending on the source is known for many years.

Lisa!

Quote by Borek

To muddy water - isotopic distribution is not always identical.

See for example here.

Not that it is something new, fact that atomic masses of elements are different depending on the source is known for many years.

hmmm...That's interesting!Thank you

Thanks God that I'm not at school anymore

chemisttree

Quote by Lisa!

hmmm...That's interesting!Thank you

Thanks God that I'm not at school anymore

And watch that beer you're drinking too!

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chemisttree Recognitions: Gold Member Homework Help Science Advisor	That includes all of the isotopes of hydrogen. It will reflect the isotopic distribution of everything you ingest. I'm not too sure about tritium though. I would hope that particular isotope is present in extremely low concentrations.

Borek Admin	Elemental composition of the body To muddy water - isotopic distribution is not always identical. See for example here. Not that it is something new, fact that atomic masses of elements are different depending on the source is known for many years.