ABSTRACT
Carbon is the basis and the backbone of life on the Earth. It is assumed that life can only exist on planets that have carbon and water (this widely accepted assumption is referred to as carbon-water chauvinism). Due to its unique electronic structure carbon atom can easily form strong bonds with other atoms forming vitally important molecules from the simplest molecule methane to such complex molecules as DNA and RNA that control the continuation of life on the Earth (the human body contains 18.5 wt.% of carbon). Through so-called carbon cycle (discussed in the following sections) carbon atoms can be recycled countless times over millions of years.
