the mysterious 'valence 4' of carbon

[Sagebrush]

so, just because carbon has 4 valence electrons it somehow makes me live? I dont get it. what about hydrocarbons makes me able to consume chemical energy and convert it into kenetic energy?

(for those of you who diddn't ace physics, 'valence electrons' refer to the electrons in the outermost shell)

[mith]

If 4 valence electrons was the key to life, then you'd see silicon based life.

[Sagebrush]

just because it isn't on earth dosn't mean it dosn't exist. furthermore i wasn't asking wether valence 4 was the key to life or not, I was asking how hydrocarbons can combine to make life work the way it does. what about protien makes us able to move? what is atp and how does it carry energy? these kind of questions