Figure 27-2: R I V U X G
Why Silicon Is Unsuitable for Making Living Organisms Like carbon, silicon atoms can bond with up to four other atoms. However, the resulting compounds are either too soft or too hard, or react too much or too little, to be suitable for use in living organisms. (a) Silicone has a backbone of silicon and oxygen atoms. The molecules form a gel or liquid rather than a solid, and react too slowly to undergo the rapid chemical changes required of molecules in organisms. (b) Molecules can also be made with a silicon-carbon-oxygen backbone, but the results (like this quartz crystal) are too rigid for use in organisms.
Why Silicon Is Unsuitable for Making Living Organisms Like carbon, silicon atoms can bond with up to four other atoms. However, the resulting compounds are either too soft or too hard, or react too much or too little, to be suitable for use in living organisms. (a) Silicone has a backbone of silicon and oxygen atoms. The molecules form a gel or liquid rather than a solid, and react too slowly to undergo the rapid chemical changes required of molecules in organisms. (b) Molecules can also be made with a silicon-carbon-oxygen backbone, but the results (like this quartz crystal) are too rigid for use in organisms.
(a: Richard Megna/Fundamental Photographs; b: Ispace/Shutterstock)