BIOL-L 112 Ch 4

Valence

The number of unpaired electrons required to complete the atom’s outermost shell (or the number of covalent bonds an atom can form)

What are the 4 major atomic components of organic molecules?

CHON (carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen)

Carbon chains form the skeletons of most organic molecule. Skeletons can vary in length and shape. Why does this variation matter?

It contribute to molecular diversity

All the molecules shown are what? And how present are they?

Hydrocarbons. They are rare in living organisms, however many organic molecules have regions consisting of only carbon and hydrogen?

Many organic molecules, such as fats, have hydrocarbons. What can the hydrocarbon tail of a fat molecule do?

It can be broken down to release a large amount of energy

Isomers

Compounds with the same molecular formula, but different structures and properties

Structural isomers

Different covalent partners

Cis-trans isomers

Different arrangement about a double bond

Enantiomers

Different arrangement around asymmetric carbon

Ibuprofen and Albuterol are what?

Enantiomer.

• ibuprofen is sold as a mixture of S and R form

  • S form is 100X more effective than R form

• Albuterol is sold as R form

  • S form counteracts R form

Fill in the blank: Both estradiol and testosterone have a common “steroid nucleus” bu differ in _________ _____ that are attached to the nucleus.

Chemical groups

What are the 7 chemical groups most important in the chemistry of life?

1. Hydroxyl

2. Carbonyl

3. Carboxyl

4. Amino

5. Sulfhydryl

6. Phosphate

7. Methyl

What chemical group is this?

Functional properties:

• polar

• Attracts water molecules, helping dissolve organic compounds (i.e. sugars)

• Alcohols (their specific names usually end in -ol)

Hydroxyl

Why does Hydroxyl attract water molecules?

It’s polar

What chemical group is this?

Functional properties:

• polar

• Found in sugars

Carbonyl

What is the difference between ketones and aldehydes?

• hint: where does a key go?

• Ketones if the carbonyl group is within a carbon skeleton.

• Aldehydes if the carbonyl group is at the end of the carbon skeleton

What chemical group is this?

Functional Properties:

• polar

• Acidic properties

Carboxyl

What chemical group is this?

Functional properties:

• acts as a base

• Polar

Amine

What chemical group is this?

Functional properties:

• 2 sulfhydryl groups can interact to help stabilize protein structure (disulfide bond)

Sulfhydryl

What chemical group is this?

Functional Properties:

• polar

• Contribute negative charge

• Transfer energy

Phosphate

What chemical group is this?

Functional properties:

• affects gene expression (help turn gene off)

• Affects molecular shape and function

• Hydrophobic

• Sort of nonpolar

Methyl