Biology begets carbon chemistry?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on the significance of carbon compounds, highlighting their biological origins and abundance in the universe. Carbon ranks as the fourth most abundant element, following hydrogen, helium, and oxygen. Most carbon applications, such as gasoline and organic acids, derive from biological sources, suggesting a strong link between carbon and life forms. Additionally, carbon's ability to form four stable sigma bonds is crucial for creating complex molecules, making it a fundamental element in biological chemistry. However, it is noted that not all carbon forms, like diamond and graphite, are derived from biological processes.
Loren Booda
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Is the preponderance of carbon compounds due primarily to their biological origin?
 
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Well, carbon also happens to be the fourth most abundant element in the universe...

1. Hydrogen
2. Helium
3. Oxygen
4. Carbon

However, considering that almost all uses for carbon (gasoline, organic acids, and the like) come from biologicals, you could say that this is somewhat the case.

Don't count on it for diamond and graphite though.
 
carbon is important because it can form four sigma bonds VERY stably (sp?) allowing large complex molecules (like biological ones...) to form with carbon as the backbone.
 

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