Final answer:
Approximately 96% of a cell's mass is made up of four elements: hydrogen (H), carbon (C), oxygen (O), and nitrogen (N). These elements are vital for life, forming the macromolecules like nucleic acids, proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids.
Step-by-step explanation:
The four elements that make up about 96% of a cell's mass are hydrogen (H), carbon (C), oxygen (O), and nitrogen (N). These elements are crucial because they form the basic building blocks of the macromolecules essential for life, such as nucleic acids, proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids.
Each of these elements plays a distinct role in the cellular structure and function due to their unique properties and the ways they combine to form molecules. For example, carbon is the backbone of organic molecules because it can form up to four bonds, which makes it incredibly versatile in forming complex and stable structures.
Hydrogen is involved in the structure of organic compounds and in the transfer of energy. Oxygen is a key element for respiration and is involved in many cellular processes. Nitrogen is a significant component of amino acids, which are the building blocks of proteins.