Question

What is the chemical basis of life?

Answer 1

Hint: Biomolecules are complex chemical substances which form the basis of life. Biomolecules contain carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acids and proteins. In all these biomolecules, carbon is the chief component present in their structure.

Complete answer:
Biomolecules are complex chemical substances (macromolecules) which form the basis of life. Biomolecules contain carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acids and proteins. Carbohydrates are polyhydroxy carbon compounds, lipids contain long hydrocarbon chains of fatty acids, proteins contain amide linkage and nucleic acid contains nucleotides which in turn contain sugar as a moiety (carbohydrates). From the above discussion, we conclude that carbon is the chief building block present in the structure of all biomolecules and hence form the chemical basis of life.
Therefore, carbon is the element which forms the chemical basis of life.

Additional Information:
Due to the catenation property exhibited by carbon, a huge number of carbon compounds can be possible. Organic chemistry is the branch of chemistry which deals with study of carbon compounds including synthesis, properties and chemical reactions. Wohler is the first scientist who synthesized urea (a carbon compound present in the urine of human beings) in the lab. Afterwards, Kolbe generates acetic acid in the lab which is present as Vinegar. Vinegar is used as a preservative in kitchens.

Note:
It is important to note that carbon forms the chemical basis of life. Biomolecules including carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acids and proteins which form the basis of life, contain carbon as a chief component. Organic chemistry is the branch of chemistry which deals with study of carbon compounds including synthesis, properties and chemical reactions.