Final answer:
Inorganic compounds are composed of a combination of metals and nonmetals. Examples include calcium carbonate (CaCO3). Inorganic compounds make up a small percentage of the dry weight of living cells and are essential for cellular processes such as hydration and pH regulation.
Step-by-step explanation:
Inorganic compounds are usually composed of a combination of metals and nonmetals. Examples of inorganic compounds include calcium carbonate (CaCO3), which is composed of the metal calcium (Ca) and the nonmetals carbon (C) and oxygen (O). Inorganic compounds do not contain both carbon and hydrogen. However, many inorganic compounds do contain hydrogen atoms, such as water (H₂O) and hydrochloric acid (HCl).
Inorganic compounds make up a small percentage of the dry weight of living cells, but they play important roles in cellular processes. Examples of inorganic compounds that are essential to life include water, salts, acids, and bases. These compounds are involved in processes such as hydration, ionic balance, and pH regulation.