What elements make up approximately 4% of living matter?

What elements make up approximately 4% of living matter?

• A. Oxygen, Nitrogen, Carbon, Hydrogen
• B. Calcium, Phosphorus, Potassium, and Sulfur
• C. Hydrogen, Sodium, Calcium, Magnesium
• D. Nitrogen, Iron, Phosphorus, Chlorine

Answer: (B)

The elements that make up approximately 4% of living matter are commonly known to include calcium, phosphorus, potassium, and sulfur. These elements play critical roles in various biological functions. Calcium is essential for cellular signaling, muscle contraction, and serving as a structural component of bones in vertebrates. Phosphorus is a vital part of nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) and is a key component of ATP, the energy currency of cells, thus playing an important role in energy metabolism and the formation of bones and teeth. Potassium is crucial for maintaining cell membrane potential and is involved in nerve impulse transmission and muscle contraction. Sulfur is a component of certain amino acids and vitamins, involved in protein synthesis and metabolic processes. In contrast, the other groups of elements listed in the options include elements that comprise essential components of living systems but do not represent the 4% of living matter as accurately as calcium, phosphorus, potassium, and sulfur do.

The elements that make up approximately 4% of living matter are commonly known to include calcium, phosphorus, potassium, and sulfur. These elements play critical roles in various biological functions.

Calcium is essential for cellular signaling, muscle contraction, and serving as a structural component of bones in vertebrates. Phosphorus is a vital part of nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) and is a key component of ATP, the energy currency of cells, thus playing an important role in energy metabolism and the formation of bones and teeth. Potassium is crucial for maintaining cell membrane potential and is involved in nerve impulse transmission and muscle contraction. Sulfur is a component of certain amino acids and vitamins, involved in protein synthesis and metabolic processes.

In contrast, the other groups of elements listed in the options include elements that comprise essential components of living systems but do not represent the 4% of living matter as accurately as calcium, phosphorus, potassium, and sulfur do.