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AssignmentLong Text

Elements of Living Organisms

Question 8 • PA Human Anatomy & Physiology A 2026-2027 SMITH IC

In the box provided explain why living organisms contain more hydrogen atoms than any other atoms, yet 65% of a typical organism’s mass is oxygen.

Answer

Answer:

Much of an organism’s mass is water. Each water molecule contains two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom, so hydrogen atoms are more numerous. But an oxygen atom has about sixteen times the mass of a hydrogen atom, so oxygen makes up a greater share of the organism’s mass.

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