The use of carbon to various organisms is pretty obvious: Carbon is the most basic element in all living things on this earth, so is essential to our existence.
Here's a few ways carbon had an impact on the life of all organisms:
- it is the building block of all living molecules
- it is essential to photosynthesis, how the plantlife on this planet source energy to stay alive.
- Respiration is how animals (humans included) take carbon based energy (fats, lipids, proteins, carbohydrates) and combine them with oxygen to create energy and help us build more cells.
- Carbon is present in out atmosphere and maintains the balance of nature that allows water, breathable air, UV protection from the sun and many other vital systems to remain in place.
- Decomposition is when something dies. A rotting animal or plant releases carbon back into the earth: And the cycle of life starts again.