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Multiple Choice
Which four elements are most abundant in living organisms?
A
Calcium, phosphorus, potassium, and sulfur
B
Carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen
C
Carbon, calcium, sodium, and oxygen
D
Iron, magnesium, sodium, and chlorine
Verified step by step guidance
1
Step 1: Understand the context of the question. The problem is asking about the four most abundant elements in living organisms, which are essential for biological processes and structures.
Step 2: Recall that living organisms are primarily composed of molecules like water (H₂O), proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and nucleic acids. These molecules are built from specific elements that are most abundant in biological systems.
Step 3: Identify the key elements involved in these molecules. For example, water is composed of hydrogen (H) and oxygen (O), while proteins and nucleic acids contain carbon (C), hydrogen (H), oxygen (O), and nitrogen (N). These elements are fundamental to life.
Step 4: Compare the options provided in the question. Look for the set of elements that includes carbon (C), hydrogen (H), oxygen (O), and nitrogen (N), as these are the most abundant elements in living organisms.
Step 5: Eliminate the incorrect options based on your understanding of biological molecules and their composition. Select the option that correctly lists carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen as the most abundant elements.