What characteristic of carbon (c) makes it essential to living organisms

A. Carbon forms crystal structures under certain conditions

B. Carbon can exist as a solid, liquid, or gas

C. Carbon bonds in many ways with itself to form chains

D. Carbon exists in radioactive forms

Answer: C

Carbon has a unique property via which it bonds in many ways with itself and with other elements to form chains. Therefore, all the organic compounds such as proteins, fats and carbohydrates, essential for the survival of living organisms are made up of carbon chains.