Living organisms require at least 27 elements of which 15 are metals. Among these, those required in major quantities include

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Q: 104 (IAS/1996)
Living organisms require at least 27 elements of which 15 are metals. Among these, those required in major quantities include

question_subject: 

Science

question_exam: 

IAS

stats: 

0,87,81,34,24,87,23

keywords: 

{'metals': [1, 2, 2, 7], 'elements': [0, 0, 2, 5], 'magnesium': [1, 0, 2, 3], 'potassium': [1, 0, 0, 2], 'manganese': [2, 0, 0, 1], 'sodium': [10, 2, 12, 23], 'copper': [1, 0, 1, 1], 'calcium': [2, 0, 0, 4], 'major quantities': [0, 1, 0, 0], 'organisms': [4, 1, 3, 2], 'molybdenum': [2, 1, 0, 1]}

The question is asking about the major metal elements required by the living organisms.

Option 1: Potassium and Calcium are required in major quantities but Manganese and Molybdenum are essential trace elements, needed in smaller amounts.

Option 2: Similar to option 1, Potassium and Calcium are required in abundance but Molybdenum and Copper are needed in smaller quantities, hence this is incorrect.

Option 3: Potassium, Sodium, Magnesium, and Calcium are indeed the major metal elements required by most living organisms. They are vital in a variety of key biological processes like nerve signal transmission (Na, K), muscle function (Ca) and chlorophyll (Mg in plants). This is why it is the correct answer.

Option 4: Sodium, Magnesium are required in major quantities but Copper and Manganese are trace elements- meaning they are required in much smaller quantities, hence this option is not correct.