Carbon is known as the building block of life. It is a key element that forms the basis of organic compounds and is essential for the structure and function of living organisms. Carbon's unique ability to form stable bonds with various elements, including itself, allows for the complexity of molecules, such as proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and nucleic acids, which are vital for life processes. The versatility of carbon enables the diverse biological systems found on Earth, making it a fundamental component in the study of biology and chemistry.