Introduction

Carbon is an essential component of all living forms.

Carbon’s ability to form 4 chemical bonds with other atoms (including Carbon) is a key reason why it serves as a critical building block for large ‘macromolecules’, including: carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids.

Summary

In this section we have learned the following:

• Carbon is an essential component of all living forms
• Carbon is one of the most abundant elements found in the Universe and comprises 18.5% (by mass) of the human body
• Carbon’s ability to form 4 chemical bonds with other atoms (including Carbon) is a key reason why it serves as a critical building block for large ‘macromolecules’, including:
• Carbohydrates
• Proteins
• Lipids
• and Nucleic Acids

Sources:

“Carbon as the building Block of Life.” Kahn Academy. Retrieved from: https://youtu.be/JgYlogdtJDo Licensed under: Standard YouTube License