Carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen are the four most common elements in living things. Which statement BEST describes the function of these elements within an organism?
a
The elements are the most stable elements found on Earth.
b
The elements are the result of organisms breaking down larger elements in food.
c
The elements make up carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids.
d
The elements are produced by organisms as they undergo cellular processes.
c
The elements make up carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids.
The statement that BEST describes the function of these elements within an organism is c) The elements make up carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids. These four elements are the building blocks of most organic molecules found in living organisms. Carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids are essential for various biological processes and structures within an organism.
The correct answer is c - "The elements make up carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids."
To arrive at this answer, we should first understand the four elements mentioned - carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen - and their significance in living things.
Carbon is a versatile element that forms the backbone of organic molecules. It can bond with other carbon atoms and various other atoms, allowing for a variety of complex structures and chemical reactions.
Hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe and is essential for the structure and function of biological molecules. It is involved in maintaining pH levels and acts as an important energy source.
Oxygen is critical for aerobic respiration, which is the process by which organisms generate energy. It is also vital for the functioning of cells and is a component of water.
Nitrogen is an essential component of proteins and nucleic acids, which are crucial for various biological processes, including growth, repair, and reproduction.
Based on these facts, we can conclude that these elements play a fundamental role in living organisms by forming the major building blocks of important biological molecules such as carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids. Therefore, option c - "The elements make up carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids" - is the most accurate statement.