1.9: Significance of Carbon (2024)

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Carbon. Element number six. Right in the middle of the first row of the Periodic Table. So what?

Carbon is the most important element to life. Without this element, life as we know it would not exist. As you will see, carbon is the central element in compounds necessary for life.

The Significance of Carbon

A compound found mainly in living things is known as an organic compound. Organic compounds make up the cells and other structures of organisms and carry out life processes. Carbon is the main element in organic compounds, so carbon is essential to life on Earth. Without carbon, life as we know it could not exist.

Compounds

A compound is a substance that consists of two or more elements. A compound has a unique composition that is always the same. The smallest particle of a compound is called a molecule. Consider water as an example. A molecule of water always contains one atom of oxygen and two atoms of hydrogen. The composition of water is expressed by the chemical formula H₂O. A model of a water molecule is shown in Figure below. Water is not an organic compound.

Carbon

Why is carbon so basic to life? The reason is carbon’s ability to form stable bonds with many elements, including itself. This property allows carbon to form a huge variety of very large and complex molecules. In fact, there are nearly 10 million carbon-based compounds in living things! However, the millions of organic compounds can be grouped into just four major types: carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids. You can compare the four types in Table below. Each type is also described below.

Type of Compound	Examples	Elements	Functions	Monomer
Carbohydrates	sugars, starches	carbon, hydrogen, oxygen	provides energy to cells, stores energy, forms body structures	monosaccharide
Lipids	fats, oils	carbon, hydrogen, oxygen	stores energy, forms cell membranes, carries messages
Proteins	enzymes, antibodies	carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur	helps cells keep their shape, makes up muscles, speeds up chemical reactions, carries messages and materials	amino acid
Nucleic Acids	DNA, RNA	carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorus	contains instructions for proteins, passes instructions from parents to offspring, helps make proteins	nucleotide

Carbohydrates, proteins, and nucleic acids are large molecules (macromolecules) built from smaller molecules (monomers) through dehydration reactions. In a dehydration reaction, water is removed as two monomers are joined together.

The Miracle of Life: Carbohydrates, Proteins, Lipids & Nucleic Acids video can be viewed at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nMevuu0Hxuc (3:28).

Energy From Carbon?

Is it possible to extract energy from leftovers? Can organic waste become useful? It may look like waste, but to some people it's green power. Find out how California dairy farms and white tablecloth restaurants are taking their leftover waste and transforming it into clean energy. See From Waste To Watts: Biofuel Bonanza at www.kqed.org/quest/television/from-waste-to-watts-biofuel-bonanza for further information.

Summary

Carbon is the main element in organic compounds. Carbon can form stable bonds with many elements, including itself.
There are four major types of organic compounds: carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids.

Explore More

Use this resource to answer the questions that follow.

The Importance of Carbon at www.boundless.com/biology/the-chemical-foundation-of-life/carbon/the-importance-of-carbon/.

Complete this statement. Carbon is the primary component of four macromolecules, including __________, __________, __________, and __________.
State the octet rule.
What allows carbon to serve as the backbone of the organic macromolecules?
What is a covalent bond?

Review

What is a compound?
Explain why carbon is essential to all known life on Earth.
What are the four main types of organic compounds?
Which type(s) of organic compounds provide energy?
Which organic compound stores genetic information?
Examples of proteins include ____________.

I'm an enthusiast with a deep understanding of chemistry and biochemistry, particularly in the context of organic compounds and the role of carbon in life. My expertise is grounded in a comprehensive knowledge of chemical principles, molecular structures, and the interplay of elements in biological systems.

Now, let's delve into the concepts covered in the article:

Carbon's Significance:
- Carbon, with the atomic number six, is a fundamental element located in the first row of the Periodic Table.
- It is the cornerstone of organic compounds, which are crucial for life on Earth.
- Organic compounds, found primarily in living organisms, constitute the cells and structures essential for life processes.
Compounds:
- A compound is a substance composed of two or more elements with a consistent composition.
- Molecules, the smallest particles of compounds, have a unique composition.
- Chemical bonds are forces holding molecules together, and they form during chemical reactions.
- Chemical reactions are processes that transform substances, creating or breaking chemical bonds.
Carbon's Importance:
- Carbon's ability to form stable bonds with various elements, including itself, is key to its significance in life.
- This property enables carbon to create an extensive array of large and complex molecules.
- Almost 10 million carbon-based compounds exist in living organisms.
Organic Compounds:
- Four major types of organic compounds: carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids.
- Carbohydrates provide energy, store energy, and form body structures.
- Lipids store energy, form cell membranes, and carry messages.
- Proteins help maintain cell shape, constitute muscles, accelerate chemical reactions, and transport messages and materials.
- Nucleic acids (DNA, RNA) contain instructions for proteins, pass genetic information, and assist in protein synthesis.
Macromolecules and Dehydration Reactions:
- Carbohydrates, proteins, and nucleic acids are macromolecules constructed from smaller units (monomers).
- Dehydration reactions join monomers, removing water in the process.
Energy From Carbon:
- The article briefly touches on the potential of extracting energy from organic waste, emphasizing its transformative use in biofuel production.

In summary, carbon's role as the primary element in organic compounds is essential for life, enabling the formation of diverse and complex molecules that carry out vital functions in living organisms. The understanding of compounds, chemical bonds, and the four major types of organic compounds provides a foundation for comprehending the intricacies of biological systems.