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

Answer 1

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

Answer 2

The answer to this question comes from carbon's electronic structure and its consequent position in the Periodic Table. As a group 4A element, carbon can share four valence electrons and form four strong covalent bonds. Furthermore, carbon atoms can bond to one another, forming long chains and rings. Carbon, alone of all elements, is able to form an immense diversity of biological organic compounds.

Answer 3

Carbon is the building block of life for 2 reasons:

1) The outer shell has 4 electrons, but it can really hold 8

2) Carbon can form covalent bonds with up to 4 atoms, including another carbon atom.

Answer 4

Carbon is able to form long chains with itself - meaning it is very well suited to be the foundation for biological molecules.

Answer 5

Carbon has four valence electrons so it bonds with other atoms that can provide it with four more complete its valence shell.

Answer 6

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Answer 7

Carbon has four valence electrons, so it bonds with other atoms that can provide it with four more complete its valence shell.