The human body consists of numerous building blocks that constitute matter. In this discussion, matter refers to everything that takes up visible space, including atoms, molecules, and other particles (“The conservation of matter,” 2022). As a result, atoms directly relate to human bodies as matter because they constitute the physical substance that allows people to exist. The relationship between atoms and matter is a more a complicated subject since people have the same atoms in their bodies that were present millions of years ago (Siegel, 2020). In other words, it is a never-ending cycle of atom movement which supports life as science understands it.
People obtain and lose atoms through breathing, digestion, and excretion; however, they maintain a relatively equal balance of particles. For instance, an average person has approximately 4*1027 hydrogen and 2*1027 oxygen atoms in their body, which form water molecules (Siegel, 2020). The behavior of atoms is determined by even smaller particles, such as electrons, protons, and neutrons, leading to unique physical and chemical changes (“The conservation of matter,” 2022). All of them constitute matter that exists in multiple forms and states.
Lastly, neither matter nor atoms can be destroyed – they merely cycle in this world. At the same time, human bodies deteriorate since fundamental particles and atoms are only a small part of molecules and cells that are more important to human well-being. It is impossible to determine what atoms the bodies currently have or where these atoms will travel after leaving the organism. Atoms continually change because of the never-ending cycle, and it does not affect human bodies negatively. However, atoms still constitute matter, and this substance, in combination with chemical reactions, is what makes humans living beings.
References
Siegel, E. (2020). How many atoms do we have in common with one another?Forbes. Web.
The conservation of matter during physical and chemical changes. (2022). National Geographic Education. Web.