Carbon is considered the element of life because it is found in all biomolecules in all living organisms. Below is a diagram of the Carbon atom.

Question

Which of the following statements best explains why Carbon is essential in biomolecules?

(1 point)
Responses

One Carbon atom can bond to 6 hydrogen atoms because Carbon has 6 electrons.
One Carbon atom can bond to 6 hydrogen atoms because Carbon has 6 electrons.

Carbon has 6 protons, making it a stable atom.
Carbon has 6 protons, making it a stable atom.

Carbon has 4 electrons on its outermost energy level and can form 4 covalent bonds with other elements.
Carbon has 4 electrons on its outermost energy level and can form 4 covalent bonds with other elements.

Carbon can form both ionic and covalent bonds.

Answer 1

The statement that best explains why Carbon is essential in biomolecules is:

Carbon has 4 electrons on its outermost energy level and can form 4 covalent bonds with other elements.

This property allows carbon to create a diverse range of complex organic molecules that are foundational to life, as it can bond with various elements and itself in multiple ways, leading to the formation of complex structures.