Question

What facts would you select to show the major significance of the element carbon in the human body? Check all that apply.

a. Check All That Apply Carbon has four valance electrons.
b. Carbor's ionized form makes body fuids acidic.
c. Carbon forms the backbone of all organic molecules.
d. Carbon is the main constituent of water.
e. Carbon can form bonds with four different atoms:
f. Carbon-containing molecules can form rings, branches, or colls.

Answer 1

Carbon is significant in the human body as it has four valence electrons, allowing it to form stable covalent bonds, and forms the backbone of essential organic molecules. Carbon-containing molecules can create a variety of structures, and organic compounds containing carbon are crucial for life.

Step-by-step explanation:

The major significance of the element carbon in the human body can be highlighted by several key facts. Firstly, carbon has four valence electrons, which allows it to form four covalent bonds with other atoms or molecules, making it incredibly versatile in the creation of various organic compounds. Secondly, carbon forms the backbone of all organic molecules, which include carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids, each essential for different biological functions and structures. Moreover, carbon's ability to bond in various ways allows for the creation of molecular structures such as rings, branches, or chains, adding to the diversity of organic molecules.

It is important to correct a common misconception: while carbon's ionic forms may influence the acidity of body fluids, it does not ionize in a way that predominantly makes body fluids acidic. Also, carbon is not the main constituent of water; that's hydrogen and oxygen. Organic molecules made up of carbon are ubiquitous and vital to human structure and function, found in every cell of the human body and necessary for life processes.