How is carbon important to all living things?

Answer 1

Carbon is the basis of all living things on earth, animals and plants of all descriptions. Carbon has the property of linking to other atoms, especially hydrogen and oxygen, to form complex molecules, and this is presumably how life on earth originated. Other forms of life not including carbon have been suggested but there is no evidence that anything other than carbon based organisms has existed on earth.

Answer 2

It is so common in molecules found in living organisms because it is found in carbohydrates along with hydrogen and oxygen and carbohydrates are very common. Monosaccharies and disaccharides are examples of carbohydrates.

Answer 3

Carbon is present in all living things (that we know of) because that is how it worked out.

Carbon has four valance electrons. This means each carbon atom can form up to four bonds with other atoms. The versatility of the amount of bonds it can form makes it very useful in making organic compounds.

However, in a somewhat different initial environment, it is theoretically possible that silica, which also has four valance electrons, could perform the same function, so life based on carbon may not be the only form of life that is possible.

Answer 4

Carbon is found in all organic molecules, and is one of the main elements that makes up all living cells.

Answer 5

Because of the huge variety of carbon compounds. There are more compounds of carbon than of any other element, and they are all highly stable.

Answer 6

Because it is an easy bonding element.

Answer 7

Life is based off Carbon.