Final answer:
The element present in every organic compound is carbon. Organic compounds require carbon and hydrogen to form, and these components are synthesized through covalent bonds. Carbon's versatility allows it to form a wide variety of organic structures, making it essential for life.
Step-by-step explanation:
The element present in every organic compound is carbon (b. carbon). Organic compounds are defined as substances that contain both carbon and hydrogen. They are synthesized via covalent bonds within living organisms, and carbon is necessary as it is a major component for all macromolecules. For example, carbon atoms form the backbone of the molecule stearic acid and, together with hydrogen, nitrogen, and oxygen, form the molecule glycine. In glucose, which is another organic compound, there is a ring of carbon atoms and oxygen atoms, showing the versatility of carbon in forming organic compounds.
To answer the related questions using the provided information: Carbohydrates contain carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen (C. carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen). Calcium carbonate (CaCO3) is a compound, not an element, because it is composed of calcium (Ca), carbon (C), and oxygen (O) atoms in a fixed ratio of 1:1:3. Carbon and hydrogen are the second and third most abundant elements in the human body and are essential for life, combining in various ways to form the compounds that make up our body structure, the foods we eat, and the chemicals that fuel our functioning.