Final answer:
A tree's chemical composition primarily consists of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, which are essential elements found in the various biomolecules that constitute living organisms. Nitrogen is also a component of proteins within the tree, but these four elements are the most abundant and crucial to the tree's structure and life processes.
Step-by-step explanation:
If you took a tree apart down to its chemicals, it would mostly be made of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. These elements are fundamental to the structure and function of all living things, including trees. When we look at the composition of biological molecules such as nucleic acids, proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids, these elements are consistently present and form the backbone of their structures.
The correct answer to the question is A. Carbon, Hydrogen, and Oxygen. Trees, like all living organisms, are composed of a variety of elements, but the most abundant are carbon (C), hydrogen (H), and oxygen (O). These elements come together to form the cellulose and lignin that make up the wood, as well as other organic compounds that are vital for the tree's life processes. Additionally, nitrogen (N) is also important for protein synthesis within the tree, though it is less abundant than carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen.
Understanding the chemical composition of trees and other living organisms is a fundamental aspect of biology as it relates to how life is built and sustained. The principles that govern these biochemistry processes are rooted in the laws of physics and chemistry.