Carbon

is a chemical element with symbol C and atomic number 6.

Carbon is the 15th most abundant element in the Earth's crust, and the fourth most
abundant element in the universe by mass after hydrogen, helium, and oxygen. Carbon's
abundance, its unique diversity of organic compounds, and its unusual ability to
form polymers at the temperatures commonly encountered on Earthenables this element
to serve as a common element of all known life. It is the second most abundant element
in the human body by mass (about 18.5%) after oxygen.
Carbon is the basic building block to most cells in the body. It helps with cellular
respiration by which your body releases energy stored in glucose and the glucose
compound is composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. Carbon makes up 18% of
the human body. Sugars in the body like glucose hold carbon elements.

Cellular Respiration
Cellular respiration is a process through which the body releases energy stored in
glucose, which is a compound composed of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. That
energy is used to produce adenosine triphosphate, or ADP, which scientists call
the "energy currency" of the cell. During respiration, the body oxidizes glucose
and energy is released. The oxygen in the compound is reduced to water, while
the carbon atoms in the glucose are released as carbon dioxide.
The Respiratory System
Scientists estimate that a human being breathes about 20,000 times a day, thanks
to the components of the respiratory system -- the nose, throat, windpipe, voice
box and lungs. The air that people breathe consists of several gases, with oxygen
most important for cell growth and energy. Carbon dioxide, a waste gas, is
produced when carbon is mixed with oxygen during cellular metabolism. It is
possible, though, to have too much or too little carbon dioxide in the blood. Too
much carbon dioxide can be associated with such conditions as Cushing's
syndrome, Conn's syndrome, severe vomiting, restriction of blood flow and lung
ailments. Too little carbon dioxide, often caused by hyperventilation, can make
muscles tense and cause people to become tense, anxious, stressed and even
aggressive.
Carbon in Activated Charcoal
A carbon-based substance, activated charcoal -- very fine particles -- can be a life-
saver. It is a highly porous substance, able to bind many harmful substances, and
often is used in hospital emergency rooms to treat drug overdoses and chemical
poisonings. It is given by mouth to conscious patients, and through a tracheal tube
in unconscious patients. The drug or chemical attaches to the surface of the
charcoal. Because charcoal is not "digested," it stays inside the gastrointestinal
tract and eliminates the toxin through bowel movements. Activated charcoal also
is used to reduce intestinal gas and treat bile flow problems during pregnancy.
Danger of Carbon Monoxide
Carbon monoxide can kill. The gas forms when there is not enough oxygen to
produce carbon dioxide -- essentially when the carbon in fuel is not burned
completely. Carbon monoxide prevents oxygen in the blood from being carried
throughout the body, causing asphyxiation. Exposure to carbon monoxide can
severely affect the elderly and people with cardiovascular or lung disease. Low
concentrations can cause headache, loss of alertness, nausea, fatigue,
hyperventilation, confusion and disorientation. High concentrations can result in a
coma or death.

The Carbon Cycle

All living things are made of carbon. Carbon is also a part of the ocean, air, and even rocks.
Because the Earth is a dynamic place, carbon does not stay still. It is on the move!

In the atmosphere, carbon is attached to some oxygen in a gas called carbon dioxide.

Plants use carbon dioxide and sunlight to make their own food and grow. The carbon becomes
part of the plant. Plants that die and are buried may turn into fossil fuels made of carbon like coal
and oil over millions of years. When humans burn fossil fuels, most of the carbon quickly enters
the atmosphere as carbon dioxide.

Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas and traps heat in the atmosphere. Without it and other
greenhouse gases, Earth would be a frozen world. But humans have burned so much fuel that
there is about 30% more carbon dioxide in the air today than there was about 150 years ago, and
Earth is becoming a warmer place. In fact, ice cores show us that there is now more carbon
dioxide in the atmosphere than there has been in the last 420,000 years.
BENEFITS CARBON FOR HUMAN BODY
Carbon is the chemical element of atomic number 6 and atomic mass 12.011115 very abundant
in the universe . Elemental carbon is known to have a variety of uses for human life .
Scientifically carbon is defined as non-metal elements , marked by a form of carbon black
charcoal , graphite shape with gray , pure diamond shape , and colorless (clear ) .

In carbon science has unanalyzed Melting point 3500 C and a boiling point of 4,200 C.
Carbon has been known since pre -historic times . Carbon derived from graphite or diamond and
often combined to other elements in the carbonate , petroleum , coal , bitumen and natural gas .

Elemental carbon is believed to be related and consistent with other elements , carbon relevance
to the relationship in other elements to form compounds that are useful and carbon compounds
are often found in carbon monoxide or CO is carbon dioxide or CO2 and . So what are the
benefits of carbon for our bodies , the following explanation :
1 . Macronutrient
Carbon serves as a useful and macronutrient for the body in the form of carbohydrates . this can
be known with evidence that any part of the human body is composed and require large amounts
of this element .

2 . Ecosystem Growth Body

Carbon is an important role as a complex process of life . Carbon element in the human body
with many other atoms bonded so as to make the body function and help growth . Besides that, in
the analysis proved that nearly 18 % of the human body consists of carbon Elements .

3 . Physiology Body
Elemental carbon is also the basis of proteins , fats and nucleic acids found in the human body .
This means that carbon has an important role in the physiology of the human body .

4 . Combined Elements
At the joint compound is carbon dioxide released from the human body during respiration is an
element that contains carbon . Abnormal levels of carbon dioxide in the body can cause a variety
of health problems . Therefore, it is important to maintain normal levels of carbon dioxide in the
body .

5 . Metabolism
Almost all the activities are taking place in the body's metabolism , and it also involves carbon as
a basic component . concrete evidence is one of the hormones and enzymes that contain carbon .

6 . Medication
Activated charcoal on the carbon element can be used as a treatment to absorb various toxins or
gases produced in the human body .