Final answer:
The four most common elements in living things are oxygen, carbon, hydrogen, and nitrogen. Sulfur and phosphorus are also abundant in living organisms. These elements are essential for the formation and functioning of living matter.
Step-by-step explanation:
The four most common elements in living things are oxygen (O), carbon (C), hydrogen (H), and nitrogen (N). These elements make up 96% of living organisms. Additionally, sulfur (S) and phosphorus (P) are also abundant in living organisms, although not as common as the four mentioned earlier. These elements are essential for the formation of the major biological molecules and are important for the functioning of living matter. The four most common elements in living things are oxygen (O), carbon (C), hydrogen (H), and nitrogen (N).