The diversity of life is staggering. Yet the molecular logic of life is simple and elegant: Small molecules common to all organisms are ordered into unique macromolecules. Explain why carbon is central to this diversity of organic molecules. How do carbon skeletons, chemical groups, monomers, and polymers relate to this molecular logic of life?

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1. Carbon is central to the diversity of organic molecules because it has four valence electrons, allowing it to form four covalent bonds with other atoms. This property enables carbon to form a variety of stable and complex structures.
2. Carbon skeletons are the backbone of organic molecules. They can vary in length, branching, and the presence of double bonds or rings, contributing to the diversity of organic molecules.
3. Chemical groups, also known as functional groups, are specific groups of atoms within molecules that have characteristic properties and reactivities. These groups can attach to carbon skeletons and modify the properties of the organic molecules.
4. Monomers are small molecules that can join together to form larger molecules called polymers. In biological systems, common monomers include amino acids, nucleotides, and monosaccharides.
5. Polymers are large molecules made up of repeating monomer units. Examples of biological polymers include proteins, nucleic acids, and polysaccharides. The specific sequence and arrangement of monomers in a polymer determine its structure and function, contributing to the molecular logic of life.