* Carbon's Bonding Ability: Carbon has the unique ability to form four strong covalent bonds with other atoms. This allows it to create long chains, rings, and complex structures that are the foundation of life.
* Diversity of Organic Molecules: Carbon's bonding versatility leads to an enormous diversity of organic molecules. These include:
* Carbohydrates: Sugars, starches, and cellulose.
* Lipids: Fats, oils, and steroids.
* Proteins: Made of amino acids, essential for structure, function, and regulation.
* Nucleic acids: DNA and RNA, carrying genetic information.
Note: There are some exceptions to this rule. A few molecules containing carbon are considered inorganic, such as carbon dioxide (CO2) and carbonates. However, the vast majority of molecules containing carbon are organic.
