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It is the ability of carbon to form strong, stable bonds to itself. This is called catenation. Some other elements can form bonds to themselves, but they are easily attacked by substances in the environment and the bonds are thus broken. Thus carbon can form the backbone of much bigger molecules than can other elements.

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Why does carbon play such a central role in the chemistry of living things?

Carbon has unique bonding properties that allow it to form a wide variety of structures, giving rise to the diverse array of molecules found in living organisms. Its ability to form stable covalent bonds with other elements allows for complex organic molecules to be formed, such as proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids, which are essential for life. This versatility makes carbon well-suited to be the backbone of organic compounds that are involved in all biological processes.


Why is carbon especially well suited to serve as the structural foundation of many biological molecules?

A. CHARACTERISTICS OF CARBON ATOMS: __Ready availability, abundance __Atom small in size, outer (valence) electrons close to nucleus, so forms stable (strong) bonds __4 electrons in a valence-capacity of 8, forms 4 bonds to 4 other atoms __Forms covalent bonds __Can bond to other carbon atoms, no upper limit to size of carbon compounds __Bond angles form tetrahedron, resulting in 3-D structures, chains, rings, not just planar __Can form multiple C-C, C=C, C=C bonds __Can form isomers, different structures - same number and kind of atoms __Functional groups/combine with a variety of other elements __BONUS POINT: if get 3 above - Uniqueness, only Carbon has all of these characteristics


What element allows life to exist on earth?

The element that allows life to exist on Earth is carbon. Carbon is a fundamental building block for organic molecules, including proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, and lipids, which are essential for life processes. Its unique ability to form complex molecular structures and bonds makes carbon well-suited for the diversity and complexity of living organisms.


Does aluminum have a smell or taste?

No. This makes it uniquely suited for containerizing food items, which is why grocery stores sell aluminum foil.


True or false Carbon is ideally suited to form ionic bonds?

False. Carbon is not ideally suited to form ionic bonds because it has four valence electrons, making it more likely to form covalent bonds where electrons are shared rather than transferred.

Related Questions

Why is carbon a uniquely suited to form biological macromolecules?

this is because carbon only has four electrons on its outer shell. the out shell can and "wants" to hold 8 electrons, so in order to do this it bonds (in a covalent bond) with other 4 atoms which creates large and diverse molecules.


The automobile industry was uniquely suited to the mass production of?

military equiptment


How does carbon's ability to form four bonds make it uniquely suited to form macromolecules?

Carbon's ability to form four bonds allows it to create long chains and complex structures, which is crucial in forming macromolecules like proteins, nucleic acids, and carbohydrates. This versatility in bonding enables carbon to bond with different elements and create a wide variety of molecules essential for life processes.


What industry was uniquely suited to the mass production of military equipment?

the automobile industry


Cell specialization means that the cells in an organism are uniquely suited to reproduce?

False.


Why does carbon play such a central role in the chemistry of living things?

Carbon has unique bonding properties that allow it to form a wide variety of structures, giving rise to the diverse array of molecules found in living organisms. Its ability to form stable covalent bonds with other elements allows for complex organic molecules to be formed, such as proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids, which are essential for life. This versatility makes carbon well-suited to be the backbone of organic compounds that are involved in all biological processes.


Is Carbon suited to form covalent bonds?

true


What is a Good biological buffer?

It is one of 12 buffers that is described in a paper from 1966 by Good et al. The buffers are well suited for biological experiments.


Why is carbon especially well suited to serve as the structural foundation of many biological molecules?

A. CHARACTERISTICS OF CARBON ATOMS: __Ready availability, abundance __Atom small in size, outer (valence) electrons close to nucleus, so forms stable (strong) bonds __4 electrons in a valence-capacity of 8, forms 4 bonds to 4 other atoms __Forms covalent bonds __Can bond to other carbon atoms, no upper limit to size of carbon compounds __Bond angles form tetrahedron, resulting in 3-D structures, chains, rings, not just planar __Can form multiple C-C, C=C, C=C bonds __Can form isomers, different structures - same number and kind of atoms __Functional groups/combine with a variety of other elements __BONUS POINT: if get 3 above - Uniqueness, only Carbon has all of these characteristics


What is the meaning of modular storage?

modular storage is well suited for large-scale operations in which indivual processes are so large they merit stand-alone and uniquely designed buildings.


What element allows life to exist on earth?

The element that allows life to exist on Earth is carbon. Carbon is a fundamental building block for organic molecules, including proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, and lipids, which are essential for life processes. Its unique ability to form complex molecular structures and bonds makes carbon well-suited for the diversity and complexity of living organisms.


Does aluminum have a smell or taste?

No. This makes it uniquely suited for containerizing food items, which is why grocery stores sell aluminum foil.