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Carbon Macromolecules Research Paper

Decent Essays

Afsheen Mansoori
2a) Many characteristics allows carbon to be the base of biological molecules. Due to the four valance electrons carbon can bond with up to four other electrons in covalent bonds. This allows carbon to become the central point for many macromolecules. Carbon is also relatively small in size and is readily available on Earth. Carbon can also bin to other carbon atoms and can make single, double, or triple bonds. Due to this, long strings of carbon atoms can be created with seemingly no limit. The carbon-carbon bonds easily allow similar macromolecules with different functional groups. The shape of carbon-based macromolecules also easily vary. Shapes such as chains, rings, and branches are commonplace. With variance of shape, carbon can be the base for isomers; molecules with the same formula but different structures. Carbon is the only element on the periodic table that uniquely has all these characteristics. …show more content…

Carbon dioxide which is given off as a byproduct of cellular respiration, carbon monoxide given off from burning gas for energy, methane given off by livestock and other sources, and chlorofluorocarbons given off by industrial products and synthetics products all are carbon containing molecules which contribute to the greenhouse effect. As more excess carbon is given off, the ozone layer becomes more thin, letting in more of the sun's radiation. Carbon also helps “insulate” the Earth's atmosphere, trapping heat and reflects the sun's energy back to the earth, causing it to warm; much like a real

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