Elements of Life
Living systems are energy-hungry! They require constant energy input to grow, reproduce, and maintain organization. This follows the law of conservation of energy—energy can't be created or destroyed, only transformed. Living organisms primarily use energy stored in chemical bonds to power life processes.
Besides energy, living systems need a steady exchange of matter with their environment. Carbon is the superstar element used to build all major biological molecules. It forms the backbone of carbohydrates, proteins, nucleic acids, and lipids. Other crucial elements include nitrogen (for proteins and nucleic acids), hydrogen, oxygen, and phosphorus.
Carbon's special ability to form carbon skeletons by bonding with other carbon atoms makes it uniquely suited for building complex biological molecules. These carbon-containing structures can form chains, branches, and rings—creating an amazing variety of molecules with different functions.
Remember This: Carbon is like the building block of life because it can form stable bonds with up to four other atoms, allowing for incredibly complex and diverse biological molecules!