Final answer:
The top 4 elements in the human body by mass are carbon (C), hydrogen (H), oxygen (O), and nitrogen (N), which are crucial for the structure and function of biological molecules.
Step-by-step explanation:
The chemical symbols for the top 4 elements in the human body are carbon (C), hydrogen (H), oxygen (O), and nitrogen (N). Together, these elements make up more than 95 percent of the body's mass.
Carbon is known for its ability to form four chemical bonds, which makes it essential in the makeup of organic molecules. Hydrogen, with its single bond, is a major part of water and organic compounds. Oxygen's ability to form two bonds makes it crucial in water molecules and for cellular respiration, while nitrogen, with its three bonds, is a key component of amino acids and nucleic acids.