Question

living organisms are composed of millions of organic compounds, each having a unique structure. what element is responsible for this huge diversity of molecules? Describe the diversity of structures that can be formed and the properties of this element that allow this diversity of form to occur

Answer 1

Well molecules have more than one element such as hydrogen, nitrogen, and oxygen etc. These molecules help us because they build up the human body and other living things, everything is made up of molecules. Without this element, diversity to form as a person, animal, or plants would be impossible.

Answer 2

The answer is carbon.

The reason this element gives so much diversity is due to its valency of +4. This means it can bond with many elements in different ways to form different compounds. Carbon can also bond with other carbon atoms in many different ways (from linear chains, branched chains to rings). It is due to this versatility that carbon is the central elements of organic life. The different organic molecules that carbon is the central atom is DNA, carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and etcetera.