Carbon

Chapter 2 Part 3

Why is carbon so important in biochemistry?

due to its ability to form large, complex, and diverse molecules

hydroxyl group

hydroxyl group

found in alcohols (their name usually ends in -ol); polar; attracts water molecules and helps dissolve organic compounds such as sugars.

carbonyl group

carbonyl group

where a carbon atom is double-bonded to an oxygen atom; keytone if the group is within the molecule, aldehyde if the group is at the end of the molecule

carboxyl group

carboxyl group

contains both a hydroxyl and carbonyl group; acidic properties because it is a source of hydrogen atoms.

amino group

amino group

acts as a base, can pick up a proton from the surrounding solution

amino acid

a molecule that contains both a carboxyl group and an amino group

phosphate group

phosphate group

makes the molecule that it is apart of an anion (negatively charged ion); can transfer energy between organic molecules.

Which functional group is most important for cellular energy?

phosphate