EVOLUTION CONNECTION • DRAW IT Some scientiststhink that life elsewhere in the universe might be basedon the element silicon, rather than on carbon, as on Earth.Look at the electron distribution diagram for silicon inFigure 2.7 and draw the Lewis dot structure for silicon. Whatproperties does silicon share with carbon that would makesilicon-based life more likely than, say, neon-based life oraluminum-based life?
Chemistry of Life
The field in which the chemical properties, structure, location, and biological processes in the body are studied is the chemistry of life. The term chemistry of life incorporates chemistry in the life processes; the study of life processes comes under biology.
Covalent and Ionic Bonds
Atoms of different elements except noble gases do not have a complete octet, so they combine with other atoms to form a chemical bond. When two atoms of the same and different elements mutually share two electrons, one by one, to form a bond between them, the bond is called a covalent bond. On the other hand, an electrovalent or ionic bond is formed when a metal atom transfers one or more electrons to a non-metal atom.
Carbon Bonding
It is basically an association between two C that is formed by sharing a pair of electrons among them. Commonly, this is a single or sigma (σ) bond. Sometimes double or triple or pi (Π) bonds can also be formed. These are formed when orbitals of two C atoms get hybridized.
Alcohols, Phenols and Ethers
Alcohols are hydroxyl (-OH) group or moiety containing organic aliphatic molecule. They are produced when a hydrogen atom of an aliphatic compound is substituted with hydroxyl moiety. The general expression of alcohol is R-OH, where the R is an aliphatic group. Their general formula is CnH2n+2O, where n = number of carbon atoms. If n = 1, then CH4O = CH3OH or methanol, n = 2, C2H6O = C2H5OH ethanol.
EVOLUTION CONNECTION • DRAW IT Some scientists
think that life elsewhere in the universe might be based
on the element silicon, rather than on carbon, as on Earth.
Look at the electron distribution diagram for silicon in
Figure 2.7 and draw the Lewis dot structure for silicon. What
properties does silicon share with carbon that would make
silicon-based life more likely than, say, neon-based life or
aluminum-based life?
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