Question

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.

Answer 1

C. The elements make up carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids.

Explanation: C, H, O, and N are the primary atoms that form the major biological macromolecules (carbon backbones with hydrogen and oxygen, and nitrogen in amino acids and nucleotides), which are essential for structure and function in organisms.