What is the importance of carbon?

Answer 1

Carbon is important for life because it is the element upon which all organic compounds are based. That is, the molecules that make up the cells of every living thing on Earth are based on carbon. (You are a carbon-based lifeform.) This is mostly due to the fact that Carbon can form very long and also very stable molecular chains. It's also why carbon forms more compounds than any other element, with nearly ten million pure organic compounds that have been described (so far). Interestingly, carbon happens to be the fourth most abundant element in the universe. One of the most important processes to life on Earth is the Carbon Cycle, or how carbon moves through the environment. Carbon dioxide is the greenhouse gas that is most responsible for global warming. Carbon is also important in many other areas of human endeavor, including energy consumption, industry, and even jewelry to name a few. The fossil fuels from which we derive so much of our energy (and a primary source of the Carbon dioxide mentioned above) are largely made of carbon. The graphite in pencils is carbon, and graphite alone is one of the most useful lubricants. Diamonds are carbon. Indeed, diamonds are basically graphite that has been under extreme pressure for a long period of time. As you can see, there is almost no end to the ways in which carbon is important.

Answer 2

1. Carbon has 4 valence electrons 2. Bonds easily with other atoms

3. Creates strong/stable covalent bonds

4. It wants 4 more electrons

5. Creates long chains by bonding with itself

6. Bonds with O,N,H,P,S

Answer 3

Principally the chemistry of life is the chemistry of carbon.

Answer 4

All living organisms contain carbon; for example the human body is about 18% carbon by weight.

Answer 5

LIFE.