Question

identify all elements found in the following biological molecules: (carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids (dna/rna))
carbohydrates:
lipids:
proteins:
nucleic acids (dna/rna):

Explanation:

• Carbohydrates: These are made of carbon (C), hydrogen (H), and oxygen (O), with a general formula like \( C_n(H_2O)_n \), so elements are C, H, O.
• Lipids: Most common lipids (like fats, oils) have C, H, O. Some (like phospholipids) also have phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N), but the basic ones have C, H, O.
• Proteins: Made of amino acids, which contain C, H, O, nitrogen (N), and often sulfur (S) (e.g., in cysteine, methionine).
• Nucleic Acids (DNA/RNA): Composed of nucleotides, which have a sugar (with C, H, O), a phosphate group (with P, O), and a nitrogenous base (with C, H, O, N). So elements are C, H, O, N, P.

Answer:

• Carbohydrates: Carbon (C), Hydrogen (H), Oxygen (O)
• Lipids: Carbon (C), Hydrogen (H), Oxygen (O) (some also have P, N)
• Proteins: Carbon (C), Hydrogen (H), Oxygen (O), Nitrogen (N), Sulfur (S) (sometimes)
• Nucleic Acids (DNA/RNA): Carbon (C), Hydrogen (H), Oxygen (O), Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P)