AP bio organic compounds

Carbon

An element that is the basis for life and can form stable, large molecules due to its four valence electrons.

Amino Acids

The building blocks of proteins, consisting of a carboxyl group and an amino group.

Polymers

Large macromolecules made up of smaller building blocks called monomers.

Monomers

The smaller units that combine to form polymers.

Functional Groups

Specific groups of atoms attached to carbon chains that give molecules distinct properties.

Phosphate Group

A functional group important for energy transfer in ATP and for building DNA.

Dehydration

A process that removes a water molecule to form a covalent bond between monomers.

Hydrolysis

The process of adding a water molecule to break bonds between monomers.

Nucleic Acids

Polymers made of nucleotide monomers, which include DNA and RNA.

Proteins

Polymers made of amino acid monomers that serve various functions in the body.

Hydrocarbons

Organic compounds consisting entirely of carbon and hydrogen, primarily found in lipids.

Saturated Fats

Fats with straight chains and hydrogen surrounding the entire structure, typically solid at room temperature.

Unsaturated Fats

Fats with bent chains due to double bonds, preventing close packing; usually liquid at room temperature.

Monosaccharides

The simplest form of carbohydrates, consisting of single sugar molecules like glucose.

Disaccharides

Carbohydrates formed by the joining of two monosaccharides.

Polysaccharides

Complex carbohydrates formed by long chains of monosaccharides linked together, like starch.

Alpha Helices

Structural features formed by hydrogen bonds in proteins, contributing to their secondary structure.

Tertiary Structure

The overall three-dimensional shape of a single polypeptide chain in proteins.

Quaternary Structure

The shape formed by multiple polypeptide chains interacting in a protein.

Methyl Group

A functional group consisting of one carbon surrounded by three hydrogens (CH3), often making compounds nonfunctional.