Major Elements of Life and Their Primary
Characteristics 2
Element Atomic Atomic Examples of Significance in Microbiology
Symbol Mass Ionized Forms
Calcium Ca 40.1 Ca2+ Part of outer covering of certain shelled
amoebas; stored within bacterial spores
Carbon C 12.0 CO32− Principal structural component of
biological molecules
Carbon• C-14 14.0 CO32− Radioactive isotope used in dating
fossils
Chlorine Cl 35.5 Cl− Component of disinfectants, used in
water purification
Cobalt Co 58.9 Co2+, Co3+ Trace element needed by some bacteria
to synthesize vitamins
Cobalt• Co-60 60 Co2+, Co3+ An emitter of gamma rays; used in food
sterilization; used to treat cancer
Copper Cu 63.5 Cu+, Cu2+ Necessary to the function of some
enzymes; Cu salts are used to treat
fungal and worm infections
© McGraw Hill 6
Characteristics 2
Element Atomic Atomic Examples of Significance in Microbiology
Symbol Mass Ionized Forms
Calcium Ca 40.1 Ca2+ Part of outer covering of certain shelled
amoebas; stored within bacterial spores
Carbon C 12.0 CO32− Principal structural component of
biological molecules
Carbon• C-14 14.0 CO32− Radioactive isotope used in dating
fossils
Chlorine Cl 35.5 Cl− Component of disinfectants, used in
water purification
Cobalt Co 58.9 Co2+, Co3+ Trace element needed by some bacteria
to synthesize vitamins
Cobalt• Co-60 60 Co2+, Co3+ An emitter of gamma rays; used in food
sterilization; used to treat cancer
Copper Cu 63.5 Cu+, Cu2+ Necessary to the function of some
enzymes; Cu salts are used to treat
fungal and worm infections
© McGraw Hill 6
