Are you REALLY a Carbon Based Life Form?

Summary

The video script explores the composition of the human body, debunking the common notion that we are primarily made of carbon. It explains that while carbon is a crucial element, we are predominantly composed of oxygen, followed by carbon and hydrogen. The script delves into the concept of atoms and molecules, highlighting the importance of carbon's ability to form versatile bonds, which is essential for the creation of diverse biomolecules. These biomolecules, including vitamins, hormones, sugars, and fats, are the building blocks of life. The video also touches on why carbon is favored over other elements, citing its abundance, stability, and unique bonding capabilities. The presenter, Stuart, invites viewers to join him in future explorations of biology through his channel, Biocinematics.

Takeaways

• 🌌 Humans are composed of around 7 billion billion billion atoms, which are the fundamental building blocks of matter.
• 🔍 Atoms come in various types known as 'elements,' which are arranged on the Periodic Table from light to heavy.
• 🟤 Although referred to as 'carbon-based life-forms,' humans are predominantly made up of Oxygen, Carbon, and Hydrogen by weight.
• 🤝 Atoms link together to form molecules through bonds, which are often represented as sticks between spheres in illustrations.
• 💧 Water (H2O) is a critical molecule for life, and its bent structure is essential for life on Earth.
• 🔬 Carbon's ability to form four bonds with other atoms makes it versatile and central to the formation of various biomolecules.
• 🌐 Biomolecules, which include vitamins, hormones, sugars, and fats, are diverse and complex, with carbon playing a significant role.
• 💎 Carbon-carbon bonds are strong, as seen in diamond, but also allow for the necessary breaking and forming in biological processes.
• ⚙️ Silicon, despite forming four bonds like carbon, is less stable due to its larger atomic size and weaker bonds compared to carbon.
• 🌿 Carbon's abundance in the universe and on Earth, along with its unique properties, make it the basis for life as we know it.
• 📺 The video concludes with an invitation to learn more about biology through animations and to share knowledge with other curious individuals.

Q & A

What is the smallest unit of matter that cannot be divided into smaller parts?

An atom is considered the smallest unit of matter that cannot be divided into smaller parts for the purpose of this explanation.

How many atoms are there in the human body?

The human body is made up of about 7 billion billion billion atoms.

What are the different types of atoms known as?

The different types of atoms are known as 'elements,' which can be found on the Periodic Table.

Which elements make up the majority of the human body by weight?

By weight, the human body is primarily composed of Oxygen, Carbon, and Hydrogen.

What is the significance of the angle at which atoms connect in a molecule?

The specific angles at which atoms connect in a molecule are crucial for the molecule's shape and function, as exemplified by the critical importance of the bend in the water molecule.

Why are we referred to as 'carbon-based life-forms' despite water making up a significant portion of our body?

We are called 'carbon-based life-forms' because carbon is a key element in the formation of biomolecules, which are the building blocks of life, even though water constitutes a large percentage of our body.

How does carbon's ability to form four bonds contribute to its versatility in forming biomolecules?

Carbon's ability to form four bonds with other atoms allows it to create a vast array of molecular structures, including double, triple, or single bonds, making it a fundamental component in the diverse biomolecules that constitute life.

Why is carbon more suitable for forming the backbone of biomolecules compared to silicon?

Carbon is more suitable because it forms stronger bonds and is more versatile in creating a wide range of molecular structures. Silicon, despite also forming four bonds, is a larger atom and its bonds are not as stable as carbon-carbon bonds.

What is the role of bonds in forming molecules?

Bonds are the connections between atoms that hold them together to form molecules. They can be single, double, or triple, depending on the type of atoms and the molecule's structure.

Why are carbon-carbon bonds particularly strong?

Carbon-carbon bonds are particularly strong due to the small size and high electronegativity of carbon atoms, which allows for a strong overlap of electron clouds, as demonstrated by the hardness of diamond, which is pure carbon.

How do biomolecules differ from other types of molecules?

Biomolecules are molecules that are produced by living organisms and are essential to or involved in life processes. They are characterized by their complexity, diversity, and the presence of carbon as a key element in their structure.

What is the importance of the ability to break and form carbon bonds in biomolecules within the body?

The ability to break and form carbon bonds is crucial for life as it allows for the chemical reactions that sustain metabolism, growth, and reproduction, enabling the dynamic nature of biological systems.

Outlines

00:00

🌐 The Composition of Human Body: Elements and Atoms

This paragraph delves into the fundamental building blocks of the human body, focusing on the concept of atoms and elements. It explains that despite the common phrase 'carbon-based life-form,' humans are not primarily composed of carbon. The video uses an atom illustration to emphasize the minuscule scale of atoms, which are the indivisible units that make up all matter. It then provides a rough estimate of the number of atoms in the human body and introduces the Periodic Table, highlighting the variety of elements that constitute the human body. The paragraph also discusses the importance of certain elements such as carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, and hydrogen, and briefly mentions metals like sodium, magnesium, and zinc. The composition of the human body is not uniform; by weight, oxygen, carbon, and hydrogen are the most prevalent, with other elements present in smaller amounts. The paragraph concludes by hinting at the structured nature of these atoms within the body, suggesting the formation of molecules through atomic bonds.

05:02

💧 Water's Role and Carbon's Versatility in Life

The second paragraph explores the significance of water in the human body, noting that it makes up 50-70% of a person. It addresses the apparent contradiction of being 'carbon-based' when water, which lacks carbon, is so prevalent. The video then extols the virtues of carbon, highlighting its ability to form four bonds with other atoms, which makes it exceptionally versatile. Carbon is central to the formation of biomolecules, which are essential for life. These biomolecules include vitamins, hormones, sugars, fats, and even the backbone of larger molecules. The paragraph also touches on the reasons why carbon is favored in biological systems, including its geometry, abundance, and the strength of carbon-carbon bonds. It contrasts carbon with silicon, another element that forms four bonds but is less stable due to its larger atomic size. The video concludes by reiterating carbon's unique role as the basis for life in all known examples and invites viewers to continue exploring biology through future animations.

Keywords

💡Carbon-based life-forms

The term 'carbon-based life-forms' refers to organisms that are primarily composed of carbon compounds, including humans, animals, and plants. In the video, it is explained that despite this classification, carbon is not the most abundant element in our bodies by mass or number of atoms. The concept is central to understanding the composition of living organisms and how carbon's unique properties make it a fundamental building block of life.

💡Atoms

Atoms are the smallest units of matter that retain the properties of an element. They are the building blocks of everything around us, including our own bodies. In the video, it is mentioned that a human body is made up of about 7 billion billion billion atoms, highlighting the vast scale at which atoms are organized to form complex life forms.

💡Elements

Elements, also known as chemical elements, are pure substances consisting of one type of atom distinguished by its atomic number, which is the number of protons in its nucleus. The video emphasizes that the human body, along with all life on Earth, is composed of the same basic elements, with a focus on the Periodic Table that organizes these elements according to their properties.

💡Molecules

Molecules are groups of two or more atoms bonded together. They are the smallest particles of a substance that retains its chemical properties. In the context of the video, molecules are formed when atoms bond together, creating the complex structures that make up living organisms. The diversity and complexity of molecules are essential for the functioning of life.

💡Bonds

Bonds in chemistry refer to the attractive forces between atoms that hold them together in molecules. These can be physical connections or shared pairs of electrons. The video simplifies the concept by representing bonds as 'sticks' between atomic spheres, which helps visualize how atoms combine to form molecules and the different types of bonds, such as single, double, or triple bonds.

💡Biomolecules

Biomolecules are large molecules that are essential to the structure and function of living organisms. They include proteins, nucleic acids, lipids, and carbohydrates. The video emphasizes the diversity and complexity of biomolecules, which are primarily made up of carbon, and how they form the basis of life's processes.

💡Geometry

In the context of the video, geometry refers to the specific arrangement of atoms and bonds in molecules, which is crucial for their structure and function. The geometry of a molecule can determine its chemical reactivity and physical properties. The video particularly notes the importance of the angles formed by atoms in water molecules, which is essential for life.

💡Reactivity

Reactivity in chemistry refers to the tendency of an element to undergo chemical reactions, forming or breaking bonds with other atoms. The video highlights carbon's unique reactivity, which allows it to form strong bonds and participate in numerous chemical reactions that are essential for life processes.

💡Abundance

In the context of the video, abundance refers to the availability and quantity of elements in the universe and on Earth. Carbon's abundance, along with its chemical properties, makes it a key element in the formation of life. The video contrasts carbon with other elements like silicon, which is less abundant and forms weaker bonds, emphasizing the importance of carbon's abundance for life.

💡Water

Water is a simple molecule composed of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom (H2O). It is vital for all known forms of life. The video emphasizes the importance of water's molecular structure, particularly the angle at which the atoms are bonded, which is crucial for many of water's unique properties that support life.

💡Biomolecular diversity

Biomolecular diversity refers to the wide variety of biomolecules that exist within living organisms. These molecules perform a range of functions and have different structures, highlighting the complexity of life. The video underscores the role of carbon in contributing to this diversity by forming the backbone of many different types of biomolecules.

Highlights

The human body is composed of approximately 7 billion billion billion atoms, varying by weight.

Atoms come in over a hundred different types, known as 'elements', which are organized on the Periodic Table.

Despite being called 'carbon-based life-forms', humans are predominantly made up of oxygen, carbon, and hydrogen by weight.

Carbon is not the most abundant element by mass or number of atoms in the human body.

Atoms link together to form molecules through bonds, which are not physical entities but are represented as sticks between atoms.

Molecules can be formed with single, double, or triple bonds, influencing their structure and function.

Water (H2O) is a critical molecule for life, with its specific molecular angle being essential for life on Earth.

The human body is composed of 50-70% water, questioning the 'carbon-based' label despite the absence of carbon in water.

Carbon's ability to form four versatile bonds makes it a key component in the vast majority of biomolecules.

Biomolecules, including vitamins, hormones, sugars, and fats, are diverse and feature carbon prominently.

Carbon's geometry, abundance, and strong bonding capabilities make it the foundation for life.

Silicon, while similar to carbon, forms less stable bonds due to its larger atomic size.

Carbon-carbon bonds are strong, as demonstrated by the structure of diamond, which is pure carbon.

The stability and reactivity of carbon allow for the formation and breaking of bonds in biological processes.

Carbon is the basis for life in all known examples, highlighting its unique properties.

The video explores the importance of carbon in biology and invites viewers to subscribe for more biology animations.

Transcripts

Have you ever wondered what you're really made of?

The building blocks that your body is built from.

Maybe you've heard the phrase "carbon-based life -form"?

We're carbon-based, right?

So, does that mean we have more carbon in us than anything else?

Actually no... let's take a closer look.

This is an atom.

Nope, sorry... I can't believe I screwed this up already... let's try again.

This is an illustration of an atom.

An atom is the smallest thing in the universe and can't be divided into smaller parts.

Okay, that's not strictly true.

But! For our purposes it is helpful to think of an atom as a tiny, tiny, single unit (for now)

represented as a solid sphere.

You are made of about 7 billion billion billion atoms

Give or take

Or per kilogram of human, it's about this many atoms; you could do the math for your body.

Atoms come in more than one flavor though, about a hundred kinds.

We call these different types "elements", and you'll see them laid out all nicely on the Periodic Table.

Happy Anniversary, by the way.

Broadly speaking, they're arranged from small and light elements to big and heavy elements.

We're curious about the elements that we're constructed from, so let's highlight a few of these.

As quote "carbon-based life-forms", I guess we should start with this one.

This is Carbon.

Let's give it a color, to help us identify it.

How about dark grey, because...

And this one, right next to Carbon is Nitrogen.

Let's make it blue because...

And this one is Oxygen (you might have heard of it). We'll make it red, because...

And Hydrogen, the smallest element, we'll make white because... it's invisible?

Let's collect a few more.

Phosphorus

Sulfur

Chlorine, and Iodine

And let's add some metals to our collection

Sodium, Magnesium, Potassium, Calcium

Calcium, is that a metal? I guess technically it must be.

Iron, Copper, and finally Zinc

Those ones sound a bit more metallic.

So, a reminder: what do these specific kinds of atoms have in common?

You!

Human beings, and in fact all life on earth like trees, fish, mushrooms, dogs, bacteria

are made up of basically just these elements.

It's not an even mix though, not by a long shot.

By weight, you're almost entirely Oxygen, Carbon, and Hydrogen

with a little Nitrogen, a dash of Calcium, Phosphorus and Sulfur

a smidge of Potassium, Sodium, Chlorine, and Magnesium, and basically nothing of everything else.

Notice here that Carbon is neither top of the chart by mass nor by number of atoms.

We'll come back to that.

Now surely, you're not just a sack of all these atoms loosely jumbled together? Are you?

Well no, of course not. You have a lot more structure.

Atoms can link together to form... molecules!

What is a molecule?

I just told you, atoms stuck together.

Stuck together how?

With bonds.

I still don't want to break apart our nice little atoms so we won't get into exactly how bonds form.

Usually you'll see them represented in images as little sticks between the spheres.

And we shrink the atoms down smaller than they really are just so we can see these sticks.

It's helpful to understand that bonds aren't physical things separate from atoms

we just draw them that way.

Sometimes atoms don't just form a single bond, they can form double or even triple bonds.

The sticks help us notice that, see?

On paper, we can draw the atoms and bonds like this.

Now that we know atoms can combine to form molecules, what kinds of molecules are we built from?

There better be some carbon.

Well to start, there's several important molecules that are made up of just two or three atoms.

You don't breathe this kind of oxygen, you breathe this kind of oxygen.

Neat!

And carbon dioxide, which your body produces and then you need to breathe it out.

Notice the double bonds here?

Oh! Carbon! Carbon dioxide, maybe that's why carbon-based... No... no, that's not it...

Well anyway, let's look at water.

Good old H2O.

Oh yeah, by the way, this angle?

It turns out that when there's three or more atoms linked together

they connect at specific angles, sometimes straight, sometimes with a bend.

This bend in the water molecule is really really incredibly important! Critical!

I don't think it's overstating my case to say that without this bend...

there's no life on earth, at all, ever. Period.

Also... you are about 50-70% this molecule.

Hang on, hang on, if we're more than half water

which last I checked, does not have any carbon in it, then how can we be called carbon-based life-forms?

Well, carbon is a pretty special element.

A single carbon atom forms four bonds with other atoms, making it incredibly versatile.

Sometimes that's two double bonds

or a triple and a single

or four single bonds to four other atoms

or one double and two singles

It turns out that the overwhelming majority of the kinds of molecules in your body include carbon.

We call molecules made by living things "biomolecules", and like I said carbon features prominently in almost all of them.

Carbon helps make up small biomolecules like vitamins

hormones

nutrients like sugars and fats

and forms the literal backbone of bigger molecules and bigger molecules and even bigger molecules

Oh and even bigger molecules.

These biomolecules are extremely diverse

There are thousands upon thousands of different kinds, and in my opinion, they're all amazing.

We'll be exploring many of these in future videos.

But why carbon though? Why not another element?

I think there's several reasons.

I mentioned its geometry: the four bonds and specific angles

that allow for a crazy number of combinations of atoms and structural arrangements.

Secondly, carbon is plentiful in the universe and on earth.

Next, if we look at related elements, around carbon on the Periodic Table

typically these form only three or two or even one stable bond

so they can't be used in as many different kinds of structures.

Silicon does form four bonds and it is plentiful on earth

but it is a larger atom than carbon, and so silicon to silicon bonds aren't as stable.

In contrast, carbon-carbon bonds are very strong

as evidenced by diamond, which is pure carbon

But importantly, carbon bonds in biomolecules can be broken

and formed through chemical reactions in our body.

Carbon is a unique element, and in every example we know of

it is the stable, versatile, reactive, basis for life.

Thank you so much for watching, carbon-based, water-logged human.

I hope you'll consider subscribing to watch more biology animations

and maybe sharing it with other curious carbon creatures.

I'm Stuart, and this is Biocinematics.