Life on Earth with coal
Life on earth is something curious. The beings that inhabit it are complex and different;We develop each in our own rhythm, in our own way. But what characterizes this life? What are your bases? What do living beings have in common?. The answer is reduced to a simple and at the same time interesting element: carbon.
We could consider carbon the most important element of life, as it constitutes the basis of it, and plays a fundamental role in each biotic being. It is a tetravalent element, something that chemically means that it has the ability to form four different links with other atoms, so it can sustain long chains and structures that give rise to life, including more than 10 million different compounds;and manages to supply a complex organism of the chemical diversity that it needs to exist. From this foundation, organic chemistry is developed, in charge of the complete carbon study and the compounds formed from it.
For the functioning of life, in relation to carbon, an environmental exchange is necessary, which occurs within a biogechemical cycle, which allows the circular element between the biosphere, the atmosphere, the hydrosphere and the lithosphere. In this cycle the breathing process is essential, which works in reverse between the planting and Animalia kingdoms: the former, absorb it from the environment and process it in their organism through photosynthesis;While the second group is in charge of returning it to the atmosphere when exhaling it in the form of CO2. On the other hand, there are other ways to return carbon to the environment such as the decomposition of dead tissues of animals and vegetables, or the combustion of organic material. It is an abundant element, and considered non -renewable;However, it is important not to exceed its issuance to the environment artificially by the human being, such as polluting gases from large factories and industries. Maintain the natural balance of carbon in nature, that is, a balance of different forms of exchange, would allow a better development of life.
Carbon is the fourth most abundant element in the universe, and is present on our planet in large quantities and various forms. In this way, we can find large carbon reservoirs in the atmosphere in the form of gases;dissolved in the water of the oceans in the form of CO2, CO3 and HCO3;in organic sediments concentrated in rocks and fossils;or in the form of a diamond, graphite, coal, fullerene and nanotubes. Not only is it found in its pure form, also in its isotopes among which carbon 12 and 13 are better known within the stables, and carbon 14 as its unstable isotope. Carbon 14, is the most frequent and has helped in a transcendental way to science, mainly in fossil dating.
In conclusion, carbon is an essential part of living organisms, an element without which its existence and development would not be possible. It is present in everything that surrounds us and its understanding is essential to understand life as we know it;And consequently, from the study of organic matter, reach a better analysis of the inorganic part related to it.
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