biology help? carbon leads to molecular diversity?

The carbon atom has 4 valence electrons, meaning that in the carbon atom's outermost electron shell, there are 4 electrons. Electrons in the outermost shell are called valence electrons. These electrons can be given to other atoms to make it more stable. Giving away or attaining 4 electrons will make carbon itself more stable. (sharing or getting rid of its valence electrons makes most atoms more stable).

Because it has 4 valence electrons, 1 carbon atom has the ability to bond with 4 atoms. For example, in methane (CH4), one carbon atom bonds to 4 hydrogen atoms).

There are also many ways it can bond. In graphite and diamonds, carbon bonds with other carbon molecules, however their structure is different. In graphite, carbon atoms can bond with others in the same plane to form sheets. graphite is slippery because the sheets tend to rub on each other.

In diamonds, carbon atoms make bonds in the tetrahedral shape. This is why its so strong.

Although cells are 70-95% water, the rest consists mostly of carbon-based compounds. Carbon is unparalleled in its ability to form large, complex and diverse molecules. Carbon accounts for the diversity of biological molecules and has made possible the great diversity of living things.

Proteins, DNA, carbohydrates and other molecules that distinguish living matter from inorganic material are all composed of carbon atoms bonded to each other and to atoms of other elements. These other elements commonly include hydrogen (H), oxygen (O), nitrogen (N), sulfur (S) and phosphorus (P).

The special role of carbon in the chemistry of the elements is the result of a combination of factors, including the number of valence electrons on a neutral carbon atom, the electronegativity of carbon, and the atomic radius of carbon atoms.

Carbon has four valence electrons 2s(sq) 2p(sq) and it must either gain four electrons or lose four electrons to reach a rare-gas configuration. The electronegativity of carbon is too small for carbon to gain electrons from most elements to form C4- ions, and too large for carbon to lose electrons to form C4+ ions. Carbon therefore forms covalent bonds with a large number of other elements, including the hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorus, and sulfur found in living systems.