major elements found in bacteria
Carbon, which is the main component of cell materials = 50% dry weight.
Oxygen, cell materials & cell water, oxygen electron acceptor in aerobic respiration. (20% dry weight.)
Nitrogen, constituent of amino acids, nucleic acids, nucleotides, membrane & coenzymes. (14%)
Hydrogen, organic compounds and cell wall. (8%)
Phosphorus, constituent of nucleic acid, nucleotides and membrane phospholipids. (3%)
Sulphur, constituent of cysteine, methionine (amino acids) glutathione(peptide) (1%)
Potassium main cellular inorganic cation & cofactor for specific enzymes. (1%)