Carbon forms the key component for all known naturally occurring life on Earth. Complex molecules are made up of carbon bonded with other elements, especially oxygen, hydrogen and nitrogen, and carbon is able to bond with all of these because of its four valence electrons. Carbon is abundant on earth. It is also light weight and the atom is relatively small in size, making it easier for enzymes to manipulate carbon molecules.
Characteristics of carbon as a basis for life
The two most important characteristics of carbon as a basis for the chemistry of life, are that it has four valence bonds and that the energy required to make or break a bond is just at an appropriate level for building molecules which are not only stable, but also reactive. The fact that carbon atoms bond readily to other carbon atoms allows for the building of arbitrarily long complex molecules and polymers.
There are not many other elements which even appear to be promising candidates for supporting life - for example, processes such as metabolism - but the most frequently suggested alternative is silicon.[3] This is in the same group in the Periodic Table of elements and therefore also has four valence bonds. It also bonds to itself, but generally in the form of crystal lattices rather than long chains. Silicon compounds are generally stable but do not support the ability readily to re-combine in different permutations in a manner that would plausibly support lifelike processes.
About 70% of all Sentient Union Life forms are Carbon Based. Carbon Based Union Life forms are further divided into:
- RDRS - Right Turning DNA - Right Turning Sugars
- RDLS -Right Turning DNA - Left Turning Sugars
- LDRS- Left Turning DNA - Right Turning Sugars
- LDLS - Left Turning DNA - Left Turning Sugars