Question

which carbon - based compounds are essential to living things?
o water, lipids, proteins, nucleic acids
o proteins, petroleum, carbohydrates, lipids*
o carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, nucleic acids
o carbohydrates, mineral salts, proteins, nucleic acids

Explanation:

Water is not a carbon - based compound. Petroleum is a fossil fuel and not an essential carbon - based compound for basic life processes. Mineral salts are not carbon - based. Carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids are the four major classes of organic (carbon - based) compounds essential for living things.

Answer:

carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, nucleic acids