Question 6 (5 points) - relate atomic structure to function. Hydrogen Oxygen Par

Question

Question 6 (5 points) - relate atomic structure to function. Hydrogen Oxygen Part 1 (2 points): How many additional electrons does carbon require to fill its outer valence shell? What about Nitrogen? Oxygen? Hydrogen? Silicon? Part 2 (4 points): Consider your answer to the questions above and then a. Propose an explanation for why the biomolecules of life (carbohydrates, proteins, nucleic acids, and lipids) are constructed using a scaffold/skeleton/backbone that is primanily carbon rather than Oxygen, Hydrogen or Nitrogen. (2 points) b. Explain why silicon is often considered a viable alternative to carbon as a scaffold for building biomolecules (1 point) c Explain why the biomolecules of life also include elements lke Oxygen, Nitrogen and Hydrogen rather than only Carbon (1 point)

Explanation / Answer

Part 1. Carbon require 4 electrons.

Nitrogen require 3 electrons.

Oxygen require 2 electrons.

Hydrogen require 1 electron.

Silicon require 4 electrons.

Part.2 A.carbon is functional elements for living things because it's able form bond in many different ways due to 4 balance electrons in its outer shell.

It can form many compound that are essential to life.

It can have sp3 ,sp2 and sp hybridisation in its compound that means it can have bonds in all three dimensions and molecules with complicated shape.

Carbon is only molecule that can form long chain that not break at higher temperature.

Carbon is primary component of biomolecules like protein ,lipid, nucleic acid carbohydrates etc.

B. Because it also have 4 valance electrons in its outer shell like carbon so it can also form 4 different bonds and can also form complicated molecules like carbon that not break at higher temperature.

C. Because biomolecules are organic means they have carbon as central molecules but they also have hydrogen, nitrogen and oxygen in different molecules of different elements like in lipid carbon have bond with hydrogen and oxygen and in protein it bond with hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen and sometimes sulphur.

Related Questions

Navigate

• Browse (All)
• Browse Q
• Subjects

---

---

Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.