What factors are most important in determining which elements are most common in living matter?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The relative abundances of the elements and the emergent properties of the compounds made from these elements are both important factors in determining which elements are most common in living matter. The relative abundances of the elements in Earth's crust and atmosphere may influence which elements are available for use in living systems, but it is the emergent properties of the compounds made from those elements that ultimately determine their usefulness in biological processes. For example, carbon is relatively abundant in Earth's crust and atmosphere, but its ability to form stable covalent bonds with other carbon atoms allows for the formation of complex molecules essential for life. Similarly, hydrogen and oxygen are abundant, but their ability to form polar covalent bonds allows for the formation of water molecules, which are critical for many biological processes.

What Factors Are Most Important in Determining Which Elements Are