What is the maximum number of covalent bonds that carbon can form with other atoms?

Carbon can form a maximum of four covalent bonds with other atoms due to its tetravalent nature. This characteristic arises from carbon's atomic structure. It has four electrons in its outermost shell, also known as the valence shell, which can hold a total of eight electrons (following the octet rule). To achieve a stable electron configuration, carbon can share these four electrons with other atoms, enabling it to form four covalent bonds. This ability to bond with multiple elements makes carbon a fundamental building block of life, allowing it to form a diverse array of organic molecules, including carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids. The structural versatility of carbon underpins the complexity and diversity of biological macromolecules.