Given below are two statements: one is labelled as Assertion and the other is labelled as Reason. Assertion: All the elements present in a sample of Earth's crust are also present in a sample of living tissue. Reason: The relative abundance of carbon and hydrogen with respect to other elements is lower in any living organism than in Earth's crust. In the light of the above statements, choose the correct answer from t

Step-by-step solution

Assertion is correct: When elemental analysis is performed on a piece of Earth's crust and a living tissue, we obtain a similar list of elements. In absolute terms, all the elements present in a sample of Earth's crust are also present in a sample of living tissue. Reason is incorrect: A closer examination reveals that the relative abundance of carbon and hydrogen with respect to other elements is higher (not lower) in any living organism than in Earth's crust. Therefore, the Assertion is correct but the Reason is