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Because of the amount of bonds it can make with other atoms, plus it is just the right weight to decay, but not too fast. Silicon could be a substitute, but it is too heavy and does not form the right type of bonds, for instance CO2, carbon dioxide, SiO2, the equivelent of CO2, Is sand.

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13y ago
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14y ago

Each carbon acts as an intersection from which an organic molecule can branch off in up to four directions. Thus, it is possible to construct an endless diversity of carbon skeletons.

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Q: Why is carbon and not any other element the base of all organic molecules?
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What element is best able to combine with itself and hydrogen to form large molecules?

Carbon because Carbon is a common element contains in organic things. It contains a lot of atoms to form large molecules with Hydrogen and other elements as well...


How do you know if a element is organic?

No elements are organic. Molecules can be organic, and are those that are comprised mainly of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen (and sometimes nitrogen and small amounts of other elements). However, only molecules made from combinations of these elements can be considered to be organic, the elements by themselves are not!


Which element is the main componemnt in all organic molecules?

By definition, organic compounds must contain hydrogen and carbon. Other common elements include oxygen and nitrogen and sometimes sulphur, phosphorus, halogens. There are many other compounds that contain metals (organometallic chemistry).


What element makes a nutrient organic?

Hydrogen and carbon. Many other elements such as nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur, etc. may be present, but are not necessary to define a chemical as being organic.


What are the roles of organic molecules?

Organic molecules are the chemicals of life, compounds composed of more than one type of element, that are found in, and produced by, living organisms. The feature that distinguishes an organic from inorganic molecule is that organic contain carbon-hydrogen bonds, whereas inorganic molecules do not. The four major classes of organic molecules include carbohydrates, proteins, lipids and nucleic acids.

Related questions

Organic molecules are made up of what?

The definition of an organic molecule is 'carbon containing.' The hydrogen is not necessary, but is often present.


Which element forms the backbone of all organic molecules?

Carbon. Organic molecules are usually made up of carbon chains or rings, with hydrogen atoms bonded to most bond sites. The molecules are distinguished by the length of the chain, the number of double or triple carbon-carbon bonds, and the other elements or ligands that might be bonded to the carbon chain or ring.


What element is best able to combine with itself and hydrogen to form large molecules?

Carbon because Carbon is a common element contains in organic things. It contains a lot of atoms to form large molecules with Hydrogen and other elements as well...


How do you know if a element is organic?

No elements are organic. Molecules can be organic, and are those that are comprised mainly of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen (and sometimes nitrogen and small amounts of other elements). However, only molecules made from combinations of these elements can be considered to be organic, the elements by themselves are not!


Is neon one of the three element are often found in organic compound?

No, neon is an element on the periodic table located in group 18 of the periodic table, no element can be an organic on its own, although carbon is the basis of organic life. but your question is also flawed because a molecule is made up of a group atoms, not just one.


Which element is the main componemnt in all organic molecules?

By definition, organic compounds must contain hydrogen and carbon. Other common elements include oxygen and nitrogen and sometimes sulphur, phosphorus, halogens. There are many other compounds that contain metals (organometallic chemistry).


What makes molecule organic or inorganic?

Organic molecules made of carbon and hydrogen (plus other elements). The basis of them is the carbon.


What is in carbon that makes it organic?

Other way around. things are organic because they have carbon in them. Carbon is importand becasue its an element that can make four bonds and make long chains with other molecules attached to it. This allows for so many different bonds and reactions to occur which can be very usefull for living organisms.


Why is carbon such a good element to form the base of organic molecules?

The atomic number of carbon is six. Carbon has four electrons in the outer orbit. It can share the four electrons with other elements. Carbon can form the chain with other carbon atoms. Because of this unique property of the carbon atom, you have the entire organic chemistry based on this atom. You can not imagine the world without this atom.


What element makes a nutrient organic?

Hydrogen and carbon. Many other elements such as nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur, etc. may be present, but are not necessary to define a chemical as being organic.


What element makes an organic molecule an organic molecule?

The basic answer regarding the difference between organic and inorganic molecules is carbon. Carbon is the key to organic molecules. Yes, there are a few carbon compounds that may be considered inorganic, but it is the carbon that is the key to the differences. Carbon compounds number in the millions.


What organic molecules are considered to be carbohydrates?

The organic molecules that are considered to be carbohydrates are carbon and hydrogen. Other organic molecules include lipids, nucleic acids and proteins.