Question:

The four elements that make up 99% of all elements found in a living system are

Updated On: Apr 20, 2024
  • C, H, O and P
  • C, N, O and P
  • H, O, C and N
  • C, H, O and S.
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The Correct Option is C

Solution and Explanation

Carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen are called four big elements of living body they make up about 99% of the mass of most cells. These are lightest elements that are capable of forming covalent bonds. It is known that the strength of covalent bond is inversely related to the atomic weights of the bonded atoms. As C, H, O and N are lightest elements so the bonds they form are the strongest covalent bonds. So that the compounds formed are stable, varied in size and shapes. Carbon constitutes more than 50% of the dry matter. It has been observed that human body contains 0.5% hydrogen, 18.5% carbon, 65% oxygen and 3.3% nitrogen. Other elements are present in very lesser amount.
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Concepts Used:

Biomolecules

Biomolecules are the most essential organic molecules, which are involved in the maintenance and metabolic processes of living organisms. These non-living molecules are the actual foot-soldiers of the battle of sustenance of life.

There are four major classes of Biomolecules –  Carbohydrates, Proteins, Nucleic acids and Lipids.

  1. Carbohydrates are chemically defined as polyhydroxy aldehydes or ketones or compounds which produce them on hydrolysis.
  2. Proteins are another class of indispensable biomolecules, which make up around 50per cent of the cellular dry weight. Proteins are polymers of amino acids arranged in the form of polypeptide chains. The structure of proteins is classified as primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary in some cases.
  3. Nucleic acids refer to the genetic material found in the cell that carries all the hereditary information from parents to progeny. There are two types of nucleic acids namely, deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA). The main function of nucleic acid is the transfer of genetic information and synthesis of proteins by processes known as translation and transcription.
  4. Lipids are organic substances that are insoluble in water, soluble in organic solvents, are related to fatty acids and are utilized by the living cell.