**2. Terminology and classification of bioelements and bioelementology**

It is known that the chemical element exists in the organism not by itself, but in close interaction with other components. There are no any particular elements in cell, which are typical of only living nature. On the level of atom, there are no differences between chemical composition of organic and inorganic matter. The differences are found on higher, molecular level of organ‐ ization.

Thus, the position and classification of the chemical elements in the Periodic System of Elements (PSE) does not permit any statement to be made about their functional essentiality or their acute or chronic toxicity for living organisms. This is due to the fact that the Periodic System is based on purely physicochemical aspects [4]. Therefore B.Markert developed an idea about a Biological System of Elements (BSE), which primarily considers aspects of basic biochemical and physiological research. As the author said, "Biological processes on the molecular level are frequently based on physical and chemical conditions… However, these physical and chemical regularities are frequently modified in biological systems". The BSE of B.Markert is obtained from data on correlation analysis, physiological function of individual elements in the living organism, evolutional development out of the inorganic environment and with respect to their uptake by the living organism as a neutral molecule or charged ion.

Atoms, atomic nuclei, elementary particles and fields that bind them, which have independent significance at the physicochemical stage of evolution, after being included in biological molecules lose this self-importance and play their role in the ensemble, called by me bioele‐ ment, where everything is interdependent, more complicated and at the same time more vulnerable to external influence. Since the general conditions of biological evolution (the composition of biosphere), are continuously changing, a set of bioelements in a living organism can also change. This distinguishes them from chemical elements as objects of physicochemical stage, which remain identical to themselves along the course of evolution. So, bioelement is the elemental functioning unit of living matter, which is a biologically active complex of chemical elements as atoms, ions and nanoparticles with organic compounds of exogenous (primary) or biogenous (secondary) origin [3].

In principle, bioelements include any chemical structures found in living nature, but which do not have a set of fundamental properties of living things: metabolism, variability, reproduction and heredity. Primarily, these are organogens (C, H, N, O), P, S and representatives of four classes of small organic molecules which compose the cells: amino acids, nucleotides, sugars, fatty acids, – and coordination structures, aquated ions of vital macro and trace elements and water as well. Bioelements can continuously form from ionic compounds when they enter the cell. Inside the cell, biopolymers and their complexes create a complicated, coordinated and regulated system for transformation of substances. Cell is the main place of natural birth of secondary bioelements and their destruction. Biosphere is an assembly of bioelements and living organisms existing under permanent regulatory influence of physico-chemical factors of terrestrial and cosmic origin. The evolution of living organisms on Earth was accompanied by a broadening and deepening of the utilization of chemical elements and their compounds, i.e., in fact, by diversification, improvement and complication of bioelements. This process continues today in both natural and artificial environment, if allowing for the development of biotechnology, genetic engineering and pharmacy. The scientific discipline, which study bioelements, is proposed to be called bioelementology. This discipline could lay the foundation for the integration of bioorganic chemistry, bioinorganic chemistry, biophysics, molecular

**2. Terminology and classification of bioelements and bioelementology**

It is known that the chemical element exists in the organism not by itself, but in close interaction with other components. There are no any particular elements in cell, which are typical of only living nature. On the level of atom, there are no differences between chemical composition of organic and inorganic matter. The differences are found on higher, molecular level of organ‐

Thus, the position and classification of the chemical elements in the Periodic System of Elements (PSE) does not permit any statement to be made about their functional essentiality or their acute or chronic toxicity for living organisms. This is due to the fact that the Periodic System is based on purely physicochemical aspects [4]. Therefore B.Markert developed an idea about a Biological System of Elements (BSE), which primarily considers aspects of basic biochemical and physiological research. As the author said, "Biological processes on the molecular level are frequently based on physical and chemical conditions… However, these physical and chemical regularities are frequently modified in biological systems". The BSE of B.Markert is obtained from data on correlation analysis, physiological function of individual elements in the living organism, evolutional development out of the inorganic environment and with respect to their uptake by the living organism as a neutral molecule or charged ion.

Atoms, atomic nuclei, elementary particles and fields that bind them, which have independent significance at the physicochemical stage of evolution, after being included in biological molecules lose this self-importance and play their role in the ensemble, called by me bioele‐ ment, where everything is interdependent, more complicated and at the same time more

biology and other parts of life sciences.

226 Pharmacology and Nutritional Intervention in the Treatment of Disease

ization.

In principle, bioelements include any chemical structures found in living nature, but which do not have a set of fundamental properties of living things: metabolism, variability, reproduction and heredity. Primarily, these are organogens (C, H, N, O), P, S and representatives of four classes of small organic molecules which compose the cells: amino acids, nucleotides, sugars, fatty acids, – and coordination structures, aquated ions of vital macro and trace elements and water as well.

Bioelement is not a chemical element inside a molecular compound, but it is temporarily formed biocomplex, where the chemical element is bound by covalent (chelate) bond to the organic molecule. They should not be considered separately, because, interacting, together they produce biological effect of new quality [5].

If chemical element is a physicochemical unit of the matter's evolution, then bioelement – is a precursor of a biological unit, which has physicochemical nature. Fundamental differences between chemical elements and their compounds in abiogenic media and bioelements are described in Table 1.

Bioelements can continuously form from ionic compounds when they enter the cell. Inside the cell, biopolymers and their complexes create a complicated, coordinated and regulated system for transformation of substances. Cell is the main place of natural birth of secondary bioele‐ ments and their destruction.

According to modern views, the life processes cannot occur outside the cell. Therefore, the cell is considered as the smallest quantum of life, which, for managing its internal parameters and performing cell-cell interactions, use information, energy and substances, including bioele‐ ments, obtaining them from the environment. Bioelement is yet a substance. Cell (organism) is already a being. In our opinion (Figure 1), bioelements are precursors of living matter, a successful combination of which, particularly of polymer-ion reactions running autocatalyti‐ cally, led to the formation of cells.

We proposed to call the assembly of bioelements "bioelementome" unlike elementome as an assembly of chemical elements and their compounds. Bioelementome is a particular continu‐ um of molecules for the maintenance of biological units of evolution, possessing the ability to control the process, and biological objects [3].

However, when considering the biological role of bioelements, we should clearly distinguish two questions. The first is a question of initial formation and participation of bioelements in the origin of life. The second is a question concerning the role of bioelements in the modern


The biological evolution has led to a sharp increase in mass and diversity of the living substance on the planet, including formation of new chemical compounds and molecules, the novel

We proposed to call the assembly of bioelements "bioelementome" unlike elementome as an assembly of chemical elements and their compounds. Bioelementome is a particular continuum of molecules for the maintenance of biological units of evolution, possessing the

**Figure 1.** Structural levels of the matter (by Yu.N.Orlov [6], expanded by A.V.Skalny)

Quarks Leptons Interaction carrier particles

Beings

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5

So called "simple bioelements" produced four fundamental components of cellular life, which, according to J.D.Marth [8], divided into 68 molecular building blocks ("building blocks of life"). I.e., the simplest bioelements formed more complicated, macromolecular bioelements.

However, when considering the biological role of bioelements, we should clearly distinguish two questions. The first is a question of initial formation and participation of bioelements in the origin of life. The second is a question concerning the role of bioelements in the modern biosphere, at the anthropogenic stage of its development. I.e., one should separate the role of bioelements during early formation of the biosphere, and the modern role of bioelements.

We proposed to subdivide bioelements into simple (atoms, ions and water as the universal solvent), and complicated ones, consisting of the above-mentioned 68 molecules (8 of them are nucleosides, which compose DNA and RNA, 20 are natural amino acids necessary for protein

Thus, bioelements can be subdivided into primary, i.e. those which could exist before the origin of life, and secondary, i.e. those which have formed as production of living organisms. This division is necessary for us to better understand the nature and role of bioelements. For example, the fact that life is a self-sustaining process that can produce "raw material" for new living structures. This agrees with the theory of natural self-organization of pre-biological processes by M.Eigen [9] and ideas of I.Prigogine [10] about self-organization in open systems.

The biological evolution has led to a sharp increase in mass and diversity of the living substance on the planet, including formation of new chemical compounds and molecules,

On our opinion, as a result of chemical evolution on the Earth there appeared the "prebiological organic world" [7], a variety of living systems, which consists of the same set of molecules (bioelements), work by the same laws, have the metabolism based on the same principles, and the system of homeostasis that can control the flows of food, energy and

In recent years, along with the evolution of our knowledge and understanding of bioelements, the definitions of bioelementology evolved [2, 11-12]. Currently, we guess the most appropri‐

So called "simple bioelements" produced four fundamental components of cellular life, which, according to J.D.Marth [8], divided into 68 molecular building blocks ("building blocks

synthesis, at least 32 glycans, 8 types of lipids, see Table 2) [8].

ability to control the process, and biological objects [3].

Hadrons

**Figure 1.** Structural levels of the matter (by Yu.N.Orlov [6], expanded by A.V.Skalny)

Nuclei

**Bioelements**

Atoms

Molecules

ate definition of bioelementology is the following:

the novel (secondary) bioelements (in cells) [3].

(secondary) bioelements (in cells) [3].

Fundamental particles

information.

Subatomic world

Microcosm

Macrocosm

**Table 1.** The fundamental main characteristics of chemical elements and bioelements (modified from ideas of V.I.Vernadsky [5] about abiotic and botic matter) [3]

biosphere, at the anthropogenic stage of its development. I.e., one should separate the role of bioelements during early formation of the biosphere, and the modern role of bioelements.

On our opinion, as a result of chemical evolution on the Earth there appeared the "prebiological organic world" [7], a variety of living systems, which consists of the same set of molecules (bioelements), work by the same laws, have the metabolism based on the same principles, and the system of homeostasis that can control the flows of food, energy and information.

5 Bioelements and Bioelementology in Pharmacology and Nutrition: Fundamental and Practical Aspects http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/57368 229

**Figure 1.** Structural levels of the matter (by Yu.N.Orlov [6], expanded by A.V.Skalny) **Figure 1.** Structural levels of the matter (by Yu.N.Orlov [6], expanded by A.V.Skalny)

biosphere, at the anthropogenic stage of its development. I.e., one should separate the role of bioelements during early formation of the biosphere, and the modern role of bioelements.

**Table 1.** The fundamental main characteristics of chemical elements and bioelements (modified from ideas of

**Chemical element Bioelement**

228 Pharmacology and Nutritional Intervention in the Treatment of Disease

There is mainly in biosphere. Outside biosphere, existence is

biosphere), as space available for organisms is limited. Limit of bioelements in the "mass of life" is constant in the

Like a living organism is born only from another living organism, the new bioelement appears in biochemical transformations of the previous compounds (living objects, containing bioelements). In the course of geological time, some qualitative changes in forms of bioelements happen, which lead to the evolution of species or loss of some of

Bioelements are formed not only during natural biochemical

transformations of other living bodies, containing bioelements, but also can be created as a result of human activities (industrial synthesis of bioelements, biotech processes) from abiotic substances or other bioelements

Formation of bioelement (i.e., form of existence of a chemical element in the biosphere), as well as the creation of a natural living body, is process irreversible in time.

are limited by the size of the biosphere (Earth).

Number of bioelements and number of living natural bodies

(from simple to complicated).

temporary or impossible. Weight limited.

course of geological time.

No quantitative limits. The quantitative limit exists (depends on the space of the

them.

corresponding chemical compounds. Exists in millions of biological compounds.

There in the biosphere and beyond. Weight is virtually

Exists in 2000-3000 species of minerals and

Involved in formation of biologically inert natural objects by physico-chemical and geological processes, regardless of the previously existed natural objects.

Its formation may occur in living bodies, varying in its manifestations and giving inert natural bodies elements incorporated in living natural body (e.g.,

The process of turning abioelements in inorganic matter, as the processes that created the inert natural

Number of elements as components of inert natural objects, does not depend on size of the planet, but is determined by the properties of planetary matter – by

V.I.Vernadsky [5] about abiotic and botic matter) [3]

concretions in kidneys).

object, is reversible in time.

energy.

unlimited.

On our opinion, as a result of chemical evolution on the Earth there appeared the "prebiological organic world" [7], a variety of living systems, which consists of the same set of molecules (bioelements), work by the same laws, have the metabolism based on the same principles, and the system of homeostasis that can control the flows of food, energy and

information.

The biological evolution has led to a sharp increase in mass and diversity of the living substance on the planet, including formation of new chemical compounds and molecules, the novel (secondary) bioelements (in cells) [3]. We proposed to call the assembly of bioelements "bioelementome" unlike elementome as an assembly of chemical elements and their compounds. Bioelementome is a particular continuum of molecules for the maintenance of biological units of evolution, possessing the

So called "simple bioelements" produced four fundamental components of cellular life, which, according to J.D.Marth [8], divided into 68 molecular building blocks ("building blocks of life"). I.e., the simplest bioelements formed more complicated, macromolecular bioelements. ability to control the process, and biological objects [3]. However, when considering the biological role of bioelements, we should clearly distinguish two questions. The first is a question of initial formation and participation of bioelements in

the origin of life. The second is a question concerning the role of bioelements in the modern

We proposed to subdivide bioelements into simple (atoms, ions and water as the universal solvent), and complicated ones, consisting of the above-mentioned 68 molecules (8 of them are nucleosides, which compose DNA and RNA, 20 are natural amino acids necessary for protein synthesis, at least 32 glycans, 8 types of lipids, see Table 2) [8]. biosphere, at the anthropogenic stage of its development. I.e., one should separate the role of bioelements during early formation of the biosphere, and the modern role of bioelements. On our opinion, as a result of chemical evolution on the Earth there appeared the "prebiological organic world" [7], a variety of living systems, which consists of the same set of

molecules (bioelements), work by the same laws, have the metabolism based on the same

Thus, bioelements can be subdivided into primary, i.e. those which could exist before the origin of life, and secondary, i.e. those which have formed as production of living organisms. This division is necessary for us to better understand the nature and role of bioelements. For example, the fact that life is a self-sustaining process that can produce "raw material" for new living structures. This agrees with the theory of natural self-organization of pre-biological processes by M.Eigen [9] and ideas of I.Prigogine [10] about self-organization in open systems. principles, and the system of homeostasis that can control the flows of food, energy and information. The biological evolution has led to a sharp increase in mass and diversity of the living substance on the planet, including formation of new chemical compounds and molecules, the novel (secondary) bioelements (in cells) [3].

In recent years, along with the evolution of our knowledge and understanding of bioelements, the definitions of bioelementology evolved [2, 11-12]. Currently, we guess the most appropri‐ ate definition of bioelementology is the following: So called "simple bioelements" produced four fundamental components of cellular life, which, according to J.D.Marth [8], divided into 68 molecular building blocks ("building blocks


Bioelementology is a direction of fundamental science studying the transition state of the matter (evolution from biologically inert to living), formation and change of bioelements, which are vital or conditionally essential for the living matter, under influence of various

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Bioelementology as an integrative science, based on the ideas of V.I.Vernadsky, will bring us closer to understanding the origin of life. Unlike the currently prevailing molecular approach, which unfortunately does not solve the problem of the life origin despite the involvement in consideration of new biochemical factors – nucleic acids, matrix mechanisms of continuity and biochemical memory [14], – bioelementology, in our view, will help to consider the conditions of life more holistically as the presence of bioelements is already the most important condition for its maintenance. The planetary environment, which surrounds the living substance, and the extraplanetary space environment which influence it, together provide the necessary material and energy flows for the proper functioning and continual renewal of the structure

The ideas of autotrophy of the mankind and noosphere, suggested by V.I.Vernadsky in 1923 [5], have fostered the epoch of nanobiology, the living matter of Universe. We believe that bioelementology can help to solve the main problem of the mankind – achievement of the autotrophy – through solving the problem of essence of the living matter of Earth and

The bioelementology combines the systemic and integrative approaches in life science and is

The materials above illustrates that the evolution of living organisms on Earth was accompa‐ nied by a broadening and deepening of the utilization of chemical elements and their com‐ pounds, i.e., in fact, by diversification, improvement and complication of bioelements. This process continues today in both natural and artificial environment, if allowing for the devel‐

Diversification of bioelements is a natural tool of the evolution aimed at adaptation of living organisms to the changing conditions of their existence. The emergence of new bioelements accompanies the process of evolution from simple prokaryotic cells (universal) to specialized cells within multicellular organisms with longer duration of individual life at a deceleration of reproduction rate. Changing the composition of the extracellular environment, such as the concentration of key ions or gases, it is possible to cause a cascade of formation of new bioelements. More diverse set of bioelements is observed in organisms with relatively low

It must be remembered that a set of bioelements is a necessary but not sufficient condition for the formation of life. In many cases in medicine, in our opinion, it is possible to use bioelements for maintaining organs and tissues instead of using cell cultures and tissues, because it is not

identification of this essence with wider principle of life existence in Universe [15].

physical interactions and matrix effect of water.

a possible precursor to systemic biology.

opment of biotechnology, genetic engineering and pharmacy.

reproduction rates, but with a longer individual life.

of living matter.

**3. Practical aspects**

**Table 2.** Classification of bioelements

Bioelementology is a science, which can unite all the "omics", probably including genomics. Authors of the term "genomics", V.A.McKusick and F.H.Riddle, in the editorial article to the first issue of the journal "Genomics" have explained introduction of the new term as follows: "…logies" are very academic, while "…omics" are more aggressive and democratic [13] in style of live matter studying.

Thus, bioelementology is a part of biology (and of the "life science" in terms of V.I.Vernadsky), a science about biological role of substances, important for building and existence of the living matter [3].

Bioelementology is a direction of fundamental science studying the transition state of the matter (evolution from biologically inert to living), formation and change of bioelements, which are vital or conditionally essential for the living matter, under influence of various physical interactions and matrix effect of water.

Bioelementology as an integrative science, based on the ideas of V.I.Vernadsky, will bring us closer to understanding the origin of life. Unlike the currently prevailing molecular approach, which unfortunately does not solve the problem of the life origin despite the involvement in consideration of new biochemical factors – nucleic acids, matrix mechanisms of continuity and biochemical memory [14], – bioelementology, in our view, will help to consider the conditions of life more holistically as the presence of bioelements is already the most important condition for its maintenance. The planetary environment, which surrounds the living substance, and the extraplanetary space environment which influence it, together provide the necessary material and energy flows for the proper functioning and continual renewal of the structure of living matter.

The ideas of autotrophy of the mankind and noosphere, suggested by V.I.Vernadsky in 1923 [5], have fostered the epoch of nanobiology, the living matter of Universe. We believe that bioelementology can help to solve the main problem of the mankind – achievement of the autotrophy – through solving the problem of essence of the living matter of Earth and identification of this essence with wider principle of life existence in Universe [15].

The bioelementology combines the systemic and integrative approaches in life science and is a possible precursor to systemic biology.
