Question

It is said that elemental composition of living organisms and inanimate objects (like earth's crust) are similar in the sense that all of the major elements are present in both. Then what would be the difference between these two groups? Choose a correct answer from the following.

• A. Living organisms have more gold in them than inanimate objects
• B. Living organisms have more water in their body than inanimate objects
• C. Living organisms have more carbon, oxygen and hydrogen per unit mass than inanimate objects
• D. Living organisms have more calcium in them than inanimate objects

Answer 1

The correct option is C Living organisms have more carbon, oxygen and hydrogen per unit mass than inanimate objects

All living organisms and non-living matter in our biosphere are made of similar elements and compounds. Several researches performed on plants, animals and microbes confirmed that a relative abundance of organic compound, i.e., carbon, hydrogen and oxygen in living organisms is more than the earth's crust (non-living matter). Whereas, the percent composition of other inorganic molecules like calcium and gold is more in earth's crust as compared of living matter.

Representation of inorganic constituents of lining tissues.