The most common organic compounds in the human body are what?

• A. Nucleic acids
• B. Proteins
• C. Carbohydrates
• D. Lipids

Answer: (B)

Proteins are the most abundant organic molecules in the human body by both mass and diversity of function. They form the structural framework of tissues, act as enzymes to drive nearly every chemical reaction, transport substances, provide immune protection, and serve as signaling molecules, all made possible by a versatile set of amino acids that fold into countless shapes. Nucleic acids are essential for storing and transmitting genetic information and guiding protein synthesis, but their overall mass is much smaller than that of proteins. Carbohydrates and lipids are crucial for energy and membranes, yet they don’t occur in as wide a range of roles or as great an quantity across the body as proteins do. So, proteins are the most common organic compounds in the human body.