Question

Why is carbon called the basis for life on earth?

• A. Carbon is inert and does not react with other elements
• B. Carbon dioxide is abundant in the atmosphere
• C. Carbon can form stable bonds with itself and other elements
• D. Both b and c

Answer 1

The correct option is C Carbon can form stable bonds with itself and other elements

Carbon has four valence electrons. This enables it to form bonds with other carbon atoms, mostly long chains of interconnecting C- C bonds, a property that is called catenation. Because of this property of carbon, there are around 10 million carbon compounds in living things.