Why Might We Think That Silicon Would Be an Obvious

question 33

Multiple Choice

Why might we think that silicon would be an obvious alternative to carbon as a building block for biological molecules?

• A) it forms the basis of some life forms on Earth
• B) it has a similar abundance on Earth to carbon
• C) it forms complex molecules like carbon
• D) it has a similar electronic structure to carbon, forming a maximum of four bonds and, hence, should have a similar chemistry

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