Chapter 4: Carbon and the Molecular Diversity of Life – Vocabulary Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts from Chapter 4: Carbon and the Molecular Diversity of Life, including carbon bonding, isomers, functional groups, and energy transfer (ATP).

Organic chemistry

The study of compounds that contain carbon, regardless of origin.

Carbon

The element that can form four covalent bonds, enabling vast diversity of organic molecules.

Valence

The combining capacity of an atom, usually equal to the number of unpaired electrons in its outer shell.

Covalent bond

A chemical bond formed by sharing electrons between atoms.

Four covalent bonds (valence of carbon)

Carbon’s ability to form four covalent bonds with other atoms, enabling complex molecules.

Tetrahedral geometry

The shape around a carbon atom when it forms four single bonds (approximately 109.5°).

Double bond plane

In a double bond, the atoms attached to each carbon lie in the same plane as the carbons.

Carbon skeleton

The chain or ring of carbon atoms that forms the framework of most organic molecules.

Hydrocarbons

Organic molecules consisting only of carbon and hydrogen; can release a lot of energy when burned.

Isomer

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

Structural isomer

Isomers with different covalent arrangements of their atoms.

Cis-trans isomer

Geometric isomers that have the same covalent bonds but different spatial arrangements around a double bond.

Enantiomer

Isomers that are non-superimposable mirror images of each other.

Enantiomers in pharmaceuticals

Different enantiomers of a drug may have different biological effects; often only one is active.

Functional group

The components of organic molecules most involved in chemical reactions; determine reactivity and properties.

Hydroxyl group

-OH; a polar functional group that can make molecules more soluble in water.

Carbonyl group

C=O; a carbon atom double-bonded to oxygen found in aldehydes and ketones.

Carboxyl group

-COOH; acidic group that can donate a proton.

Amino group

-NH2; basic functional group that can accept a proton.

Sulfhydryl group

-SH; helps stabilize protein structure through disulfide bonds.

Phosphate group

-OPO3^2−; phosphorus-containing group involved in energy transfer (e.g., in ATP).

Methyl group

-CH3; nonpolar group that can affect molecular shape and gene expression.

ATP (Adenosine triphosphate)

An organic molecule with adenosine attached to three phosphate groups; stores energy for cellular processes.

Adenosine

A nucleoside component of ATP (adenine plus ribose).

Inorganic phosphate (Pi)

The phosphate released when ATP is hydrolyzed; can participate in energy transfer.

Energy release from ATP hydrolysis

The process by which ATP reacts with water to release energy usable by the cell.

Carbon skeleton diversity

Variation in the length, branching, and ring form of carbon chains that drives biological diversity.