How does tetravalence apply to the chemical structures of life?

Carbon is tetravalent, meaning it has 4 electrons capable of bonding. If you look at biological molecules such as lipids (fats), amino acids (proteins) and starches/sugars, you'll find that carbon often composes a sort of ';skeleton'; to all of them. Sugars, for instance, consist of rings of single- or double-bonded carbon molecules with various molecular groups attached to them. Lipids are actually long chains of carbon molecules with hydrogens surrounding them.





The reason carbon is the backbone of organic molecules is -because- it is tetravalent. With 4 bonding sites, it has the most bonding ';room'; of any other element found in living organisms.





I hope I've helped you!