Figure 2.2
-Refer to Figure 2.2 (first three rows of the periodic table).If life arose on a planet where carbon is absent,which element might fill the role of carbon in compounds essential to life?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

In the absence of carbon, silicon is the best choice to fill the role of carbon in compounds essential to life. Silicon has similar chemical properties to carbon in terms of bonding capacity and can form long chains and complex structures. Boron and aluminum are much smaller in size and thus have limited bonding capacity compared to carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus are not as effective in building complex organic molecules as carbon does.

Figure 2.2 -Refer to Figure 2.2 (First Three Rows of the Periodic