Multiple Choice
Why are all living organisms based on molecules that contain carbon?
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4. Biomolecules
Carbon
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Which characteristic best explains why carbon is relevant to living organisms?
A
Carbon is highly reactive with noble gases.
B
Carbon can form four covalent bonds, allowing for complex and diverse molecules.
C
Carbon is the most abundant element in Earth's crust.
D
Carbon atoms are always found as single, unbonded atoms in nature.
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand the context: The question is asking about the relevance of carbon to living organisms, so focus on carbon's chemical properties and its role in biological molecules.
Recall the unique property of carbon: Carbon has four valence electrons, which allows it to form up to four covalent bonds with other atoms. This property is crucial for building complex and diverse molecules.
Consider the implications of carbon's bonding ability: Carbon's ability to form single, double, and triple bonds, as well as chains and rings, makes it the backbone of organic molecules such as carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids.
Eliminate incorrect options: Carbon is not highly reactive with noble gases (noble gases are inert), it is not the most abundant element in Earth's crust (oxygen and silicon are more abundant), and carbon atoms are not found as single, unbonded atoms in nature (they are typically bonded in compounds).
Conclude with the correct answer: The characteristic that best explains carbon's relevance to living organisms is its ability to form four covalent bonds, enabling the creation of complex and diverse molecules essential for life.
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