AP Bio ch 4 - Carbon

What is the role of carbon in living organisms?

Carbon is the 'backbone' of all life, forming the basis for organic compounds.

How do plants acquire carbon?

Plants use CO2 to incorporate carbon into biological systems.

What is a hydrocarbon?

A compound consisting only of carbon and hydrogen.

Define isomers.

Isomers have the same number of atoms of the same element but differ in structure.

What are structural isomers?

Isomers that differ in the covalent arrangement of their atoms and can change the location of a double bond.

What are geometric isomers?

Isomers that have the same covalent partnerships but differ in spatial arrangement due to double bonds.

Define cis isomer.

Cis isomers have attached atoms of the same type on the same side.

Define trans isomer.

Trans isomers have attached atoms of the same type on opposite sides.

What are enantiomers?

Enantiomers are mirror images of each other, like left and right hands, with potentially different biological effects.

What are functional groups?

Parts of a molecule involved in chemical reactions, typically hydrophilic in biological systems.

What is the functional group for hydroxyl?

An -OH group connected to a carbon chain, characteristic of alcohols.

What are ketones?

Functional group characterized by a carbonyl (C=O) found in the middle of a carbon chain.

What are aldehydes?

Functional group with a carbonyl at the end of a carbon chain.

What is the carboxyl functional group?

A carboxyl is defined by a carbon double bonded to an oxygen and bonded to a hydroxyl group.

What is the significance of amino groups in biological molecules?

Amino groups (NH2) can act as bases and are part of amino acids.

What are sulfhydryl groups?

Groups characterized by an -SH bond, which can stabilize protein shape.

What is an example of an organic phosphate?

ATP (adenosine triphosphate) is an example, carrying energy between organic molecules.

What happens when ATP is broken down?

When ATP is broken, it produces ADP, an inorganic phosphate, and energy.