AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Life on earth would not be possible without carbon. This is in part due to carbon’s ability to readily form bonds with other atoms, giving flexibility to the form and function that biomolecules can take, such as DNA and RNA, which are essential for the defining characteristics of life: growth and replication.

Detailed explanation-2: -All living things contain carbon in some form. Carbon is the primary component of macromolecules, including proteins, lipids, nucleic acids, and carbohydrates. Carbon’s molecular structure allows it to bond in many different ways and with many different elements.

Detailed explanation-3: -Carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen are the most important elements. Small quantities of other elements are necessary for life. Carbon is the most abundant element in living matter.

Detailed explanation-4: -Carbon is important for all the known living systems, and life could not exist without it. Carbon is available in the form of hydrocarbons other than food and wood such as fossil fuel, methane gas, and crude oil. Carbon fibres have multiple uses since they are strong, yet lightweight, durable materials.

Detailed explanation-5: -The four elements common to all living organisms are oxygen (O), carbon (C), hydrogen (H), and nitrogen (N).