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Multiple Choice
Which of the following lists contains the top four most abundant elements in the human body by mass?
A
Oxygen, Carbon, Hydrogen, Nitrogen
B
Iron, Magnesium, Sodium, Chlorine
C
Carbon, Hydrogen, Calcium, Iron
D
Calcium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Sulfur
Verified step by step guidance
1
Step 1: Understand the context of the problem. The question is asking for the top four most abundant elements in the human body by mass. This requires knowledge of human biochemistry and the composition of the body.
Step 2: Recall that the human body is primarily composed of elements that are essential for building macromolecules and maintaining physiological functions. Oxygen, Carbon, Hydrogen, and Nitrogen are the primary elements found in proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and nucleic acids.
Step 3: Compare the given options. Evaluate each list to determine which one contains the elements that are most abundant by mass in the human body. For example, Iron, Magnesium, Sodium, and Chlorine are present in trace amounts and are not among the top four.
Step 4: Eliminate incorrect options. Calcium, Phosphorus, Potassium, and Sulfur are important but are not as abundant as Oxygen, Carbon, Hydrogen, and Nitrogen. Similarly, Carbon, Hydrogen, Calcium, and Iron include elements that are not among the top four by mass.
Step 5: Conclude that the correct answer is the list containing Oxygen, Carbon, Hydrogen, and Nitrogen, as these are the most abundant elements in the human body by mass.