Question

select all that apply
which of the following elements are contained in all proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, and lipids?
□ oxygen
□ carbon
□ sulfur
□ hydrogen
□ nitrogen

Explanation:

Proteins are composed of amino - acids which contain C, H, O, N (and sometimes S). Nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) have C, H, O, N, P. Carbohydrates have the general formula $C_x(H_2O)_y$, containing C, H, O. Lipids also contain C, H, O. So oxygen, carbon, and hydrogen are common to all of them. Sulfur is only in some proteins and nitrogen is not in carbohydrates and lipids in the same ubiquitous way as the other three.

Answer:

• Oxygen. Option Text: Oxygen is present in all proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, and lipids.
• Carbon. Option Text: Carbon is a fundamental element in all these biological macromolecules.
• Hydrogen. Option Text: Hydrogen is found in all proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, and lipids.