What elements make up plants?

Answer 1

This is a big question. A tree is an extremely complex arrangement of atoms and, to differing degrees, it involves dozens of different elements.

For the most part we're looking at Carbon (C), Hydrogen (H) and Oxygen (O). This makes up the carbohydrates, sugars, lignin and cellulose that one might conjure the thought of when considering the chemical makeup of a tree.

But Nitrogen (N) also plays a major role as it does in all other organisms, notably for amino acids - the building blocks of proteins.

I guess protein isn't what first jumps to mind when considering vegetation but there's no way around it. If you're alive nowadays, you need them. And with that also comes many different metals and other elements such as Sulphur. Consider ion channels using Potassium (K), Sodium (N), Chlorine (Cl) and probably a few others.

Chlorophyll - what makes leaves green - contains Magnesium (Mg).

In short, the list is extensive...and not the same for every species of tree. Life, especially in higher organisms, uses a huge range of elements for very specialised tasks. And although trees might seem simplistic compared to you and I, they still have a lot of functions that need some very specific elements to work.

What you might not find much/any of are obvious cases such as many heavy metals, actinides and noble gases. Who knows? There may even be exceptions there.

Answer 2

~ 80% H2O~ 18% carbon

~ 2% phosphorus, nitrogen, etc

pretty much water and carbon.

Answer 3

carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorus, sodium, iron, copper, hydrogen and in tiny amounts all the other elements found in organic compounds.

Answer 4

Lots, but i think what you are basically looking for is Carbon

Answer 5

carbon dioxide oxygen glucose i think that is all of it

Answer 6

Nitrogen,Carbon,Potassium,and Phosphorous