Final answer:
Humans are made of matter, specifically of elements that combine to form molecules. These substances have unique properties such as constant chemical composition and bonding behaviors that facilitate the formation and maintenance of living tissues and biological processes.
Step-by-step explanation:
Properties of Substances in Humans
Humans are complex organisms composed of matter, which is anything that occupies space and has mass. The elemental building blocks of humans include carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur, and phosphorus, which make up the nucleic acids, proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids essential to life. These elements combine to form various molecules which, in turn, build up cells and tissues and perform vital roles in sustaining life.
Here are three properties of those substances that humans are made of:
Atoms: The most basic units of matter, atoms retain all chemical properties of elements. The human body is made up of a vast number of atoms, which combine in specific ways to fulfill certain functions.
Constant Chemical Composition: Any given molecule essential for life, like DNA nucleotide bases, has a definite and consistent composition of elements, ensuring that biological processes follow specific and orderly paths.
Unique Properties for Bonding: Each element has its own unique set of properties that dictate how it will bond with other elements. For instance, hydrogen atoms bond with oxygen to form water, a molecule crucial to many physiological processes.
The human body's reliance on such chemical substances illustrates the interconnectivity of biology, chemistry, and physics in understanding living organisms.