Which elements primarily make up the body's mass?

Which elements primarily make up the body's mass?

• A. Oxygen, carbon, magnesium, sodium
• B. Oxygen, potassium, hydrogen, sulfur
• C. Oxygen, carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen
• D. Oxygen, carbon, phosphorus, magnesium

Answer: (C)

The body's mass is primarily made up of oxygen, carbon, hydrogen, and nitrogen. These elements are essential components of the macromolecules that constitute biological structures and functions. Oxygen accounts for a significant proportion of body mass due to its presence in water, which is a major component of cells and tissues. Carbon is fundamental for organic molecules; it forms the backbone of carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids. Hydrogen is also abundant in water and organic molecules, contributing to the structure and energy of living organisms. Nitrogen is primarily found in amino acids and nucleic acids, which are crucial for protein synthesis and genetic information transmission. While other elements like magnesium, potassium, and phosphorus play important roles in various physiological functions, they do not make up as large a proportion of the body's mass as oxygen, carbon, hydrogen, and nitrogen do. The options that include these other elements do not capture the primary constituents accurately.

The body's mass is primarily made up of oxygen, carbon, hydrogen, and nitrogen. These elements are essential components of the macromolecules that constitute biological structures and functions.

Oxygen accounts for a significant proportion of body mass due to its presence in water, which is a major component of cells and tissues. Carbon is fundamental for organic molecules; it forms the backbone of carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids. Hydrogen is also abundant in water and organic molecules, contributing to the structure and energy of living organisms. Nitrogen is primarily found in amino acids and nucleic acids, which are crucial for protein synthesis and genetic information transmission.

While other elements like magnesium, potassium, and phosphorus play important roles in various physiological functions, they do not make up as large a proportion of the body's mass as oxygen, carbon, hydrogen, and nitrogen do. The options that include these other elements do not capture the primary constituents accurately.