5. Organic Chemistry Ain’t Biochemistry—But it Helps

Carbon is the miracle atom for life. It has four unpaired electrons in its outermost shell, meaning it can form four covalent bonds. What’s more, it’s neither too stingy nor too generous with its electrons—carbon-carbon bonds have a range of energies that enable them to be formed and broken at terrestrial temperatures and pressures. Perhaps most important, carbon loves to bond to itself, forming chains, spirals, spheres, lattices—an endless variety of shapes. It’s the ultimate atomic tinkertoy.