Carbon & Molecular Diversity of Life

Vocabulary flashcards covering carbon biology topics: carbon basics, organic molecules, isomerism, functional groups, and energy transfer (ATP, phosphorylation) from the lecture notes.

Carbon

A central element that can form up to four covalent bonds, enabling vast molecular diversity in biology.

Valence

The combining capacity of an atom; for H = 1, O = 2, N = 3, C = 4.

Organic compound

A compound that contains carbon, typically with C–H or C–C bonds (CO2 is an exception).

Organic chemistry

The study of carbon-containing compounds.

Hydrocarbon

An organic compound composed only of carbon and hydrogen.

Carbon skeleton

The chain or ring of carbon atoms that forms the backbone of an organic molecule.

Molecule

A discrete unit of two or more atoms held together by covalent bonds.

Structural formula

A representation showing the arrangement of atoms and bonds in a molecule.

Ball-and-stick model

A 3D model where atoms are balls and bonds are sticks.

Space-filling model

A 3D model showing the relative sizes of atoms and how they occupy space.

Methane

CH4, the simplest alkane.

Ethane

C2H6, an alkane with two carbons.

Ethene (ethylene)

C2H4, an alkene with a carbon–carbon double bond.

Double bond

A bond formed by sharing two pairs of electrons; restricts rotation and affects geometry.

Length of carbon chain

The number of carbon atoms in a chain; longer chains add diversity and affect properties.

Straight chain vs branched chain

Different arrangements of carbon atoms; branching creates isomers such as isobutane (2-methylpropane).

1-butene vs 2-butene

Isomers differing in the location of the double bond (position isomers).

Cyclohexane

A six-carbon cyclic hydrocarbon (cycloalkane).

Benzene

A six-carbon aromatic ring with alternating double bonds; highly stable ring structure.

Structural isomer

Compounds with the same molecular formula but different connectivity of atoms.

Pentane (C5H12)

A straight-chain alkane used as an example of a structural isomer.

2-Methylbutane

A branched isomer of pentane.

Enantiomer

A pair of isomers that are mirror images and non-superimposable; requires an asymmetric carbon.

L isomer

One enantiomer (left-handed form) of a chiral molecule.

D isomer

The other enantiomer (right-handed form) of a chiral molecule.

Ibuprofen enantiomers

S-Ibuprofen is the effective enantiomer for inflammation relief; R-Ibuprofen is less active.

Albuterol enantiomers

R-Albuterol is the more active bronchodilator enantiomer; S-Albuterol is less active.

Hydroxyl group (-OH)

A polar functional group found in alcohols; enables hydrogen bonding.

Alcohol

Organic compound containing a hydroxyl (-OH) group.

Carbonyl group (C=O)

Functional group present in aldehydes and ketones.

Aldehyde

Carbonyl group at the end of a carbon skeleton.

Ketone

Carbonyl group within a carbon skeleton.

Carboxyl group (-COOH)

Carbonyl attached to a hydroxyl; acidic; forms carboxylate ion when deprotonated.

Carboxylic acid

Organic acid containing the carboxyl group (-COOH).

Amino group (-NH2)

A basic functional group that can accept a proton; forms amines.

Amine

Compound containing an amino group (-NH2).

Sulfhydryl group (-SH)

Thiol group; can form disulfide bonds, contributing to protein structure.

Thiol

Another name for the sulfhydryl (-SH) group.

Phosphate group (-OPO3^2-)

Negatively charged group; essential in energy transfer and signaling.

Organic phosphate

A phosphate-containing molecule (e.g., ATP, DNA, proteins) important in biology.

Glycerol phosphate

Glycerol bonded to a phosphate group; participates in many reactions.

Methyl group (-CH3)

Nonpolar group that can affect gene expression and hormone function when added to molecules.

Methylated compound

A molecule that has one or more methyl groups attached.

5-Methylcytosine

A methylated DNA base that influences gene expression.

ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate)

Energy currency of the cell; stores energy in phosphate bonds.

Phosphorylation

Addition of a phosphate group to a molecule, often releasing energy for cellular work.

ADP (Adenosine Diphosphate)

Product of ATP losing one phosphate group.

AMP (Adenosine Monophosphate)

Product of ADP losing another phosphate group.

Energy release from ATP hydrolysis

Energy released when ATP is hydrolyzed to ADP or AMP, powering cellular processes.