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Which of the following elements is least abundant in living organisms?

1) sulfur
2) carbon
3) oxygen
4) nitrogen

1 Answer

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inal answer:

Nitrogen is considered the least abundant of the four most common elements in living matter, largely due to its lower percentage in the composition of living organisms compared to oxygen, carbon, and hydrogen, despite its abundance in the atmosphere.

Step-by-step explanation:

Among the four most common elements found in living organisms—oxygen (O), carbon (C), hydrogen (H), and nitrogen (N)—nitrogen is generally considered the least abundant in living matter. Although the atmosphere is rich in nitrogen, it is relatively scarce within the Earth's crust and in the composition of living organisms themselves.

In the human body, for example, nitrogen is a major component of macromolecules like nucleic acids and proteins, but it accounts for a smaller percentage of body mass compared to other macronutrients. These elements combine to form the vast array of molecules that are necessary for life, following the same chemical and physical laws, whether they're part of the living or non-living world.

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