Question

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

Explanation:

Carbohydrates provide energy, lipids are for energy - storage and cell - membrane structure, proteins have diverse functions like enzymes and structural support, and nucleic acids store genetic information. Mineral salts are not carbon - based, water is H₂O and not carbon - based, and petroleum is not essential for basic life - processes in the same way as the others.

Answer:

carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, nucleic acids