Question

the complicated molecules that make up living things usually contain carbon. why is carbon so important in these molecules

Answer 1

A. Carbon can form four strong covalent bonds.

Step-by-step explanation:

Carbon can form up to 4 covalent bonds, and it can form reasonably strong bonds with nitrogen, oxygen, and other heteroatoms.

Carbon also has an almost unique ability to catenate: to form long chains with

C − C linkages, and along the chain there can be regions of different reactivity (by the presence of functional groups).

Answer 2

I would assume because of carbons structure. They can bond with themselves to form rings and chains, and has the ability to bond with four other atoms! Unlike, say Hydrogen, who really can only bond with one other atom. Carbon can form a double bond with a oxygen and then single bond to two hydrogen atoms! Like wow, that’s a lot of atoms.