What is the primary composition of most human tissue?

What is the primary composition of most human tissue?

• A. Mostly water
• B. Mostly lipids
• C. Mostly minerals
• D. Mostly carbohydrates

Answer: (A)

Water is the dominant component of most human tissue. In the body, about 60% of body weight is water, and tissues are filled with intracellular fluid and surrounding extracellular fluid. This high water content provides the medium for almost all biochemical reactions, dissolves nutrients and wastes, and enables transport of substances within and between cells. Water also helps maintain temperature and tissue turgor. Other substances—lipids, minerals, and carbohydrates—are present, but they do not make up as large a share of mass in most tissues. Some tissues do have higher fat or mineral content, but for the majority of tissue types, water is the principal component.

Water is the dominant component of most human tissue. In the body, about 60% of body weight is water, and tissues are filled with intracellular fluid and surrounding extracellular fluid. This high water content provides the medium for almost all biochemical reactions, dissolves nutrients and wastes, and enables transport of substances within and between cells. Water also helps maintain temperature and tissue turgor. Other substances—lipids, minerals, and carbohydrates—are present, but they do not make up as large a share of mass in most tissues. Some tissues do have higher fat or mineral content, but for the majority of tissue types, water is the principal component.