The correct answer is:
(a) True
Explanation: In both chemical and biochemical reactions, the total mass and the number of atoms of each element are indeed conserved. This principle is based on the law of conservation of mass, which states that mass cannot be created or destroyed in a chemical reaction. The total mass of the reactants is equal to the total mass of the products. Similarly, the number of atoms of each element remains unchanged, as atoms are neither created nor destroyed during a chemical or biochemical process.
In biochemical reactions, even though biological systems may transform matter (such as converting glucose to carbon dioxide and water), the mass of the individual elements involved (such as carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen) remains constant throughout the reaction.