Introduction to Biology: The Chemistry of Carbon

These flashcards cover key vocabulary terms and concepts related to the chemistry of carbon and its significance in biology.

Atom

The basic unit of a chemical element.

Carbohydrates

Organic compounds made of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, typically with a hydrogen:oxygen ratio of 2:1.

Lipids

A class of organic compounds that are fatty acids or their derivatives, insoluble in water but soluble in organic solvents.

Proteins

Large biomolecules consisting of one or more long chains of amino acid residues, playing vital roles in the body.

Nucleic Acids

Biomolecules essential for all forms of life, primarily DNA and RNA, which store and transmit genetic information.

Hydrocarbon

An organic compound consisting entirely of hydrogen and carbon.

Hydrophilic

Molecules that are attracted to water; they tend to be polar or ionic.

Hydrophobic

Molecules that repel water; they tend to be non-polar.

Functional Group

A specific group of atoms within a molecule that is responsible for a characteristic of that molecule.

Isomer

Compounds with the same formula but different arrangements of atoms in the molecule.

Stereoisomers

Compounds with the same structural formula but with a different arrangement of atoms in space.

Carbon's Role in Life

Carbon is essential for all organic life forms, serving as the backbone for various biological molecules.

Carbon Bonds

Carbon can form four covalent bonds, allowing for a variety of complex structures.

Amino Group

A functional group consisting of a nitrogen atom bonded to two hydrogen atoms; found in amino acids.

Carbonyl Group

A functional group made up of a carbon atom double-bonded to an oxygen atom.

Carboxyl Group

A functional group consisting of a carbon atom double-bonded to an oxygen atom and also bonded to a hydroxyl group.

Aldehyde

A compound containing a carbonyl group at the end of the carbon chain.

Ketone

A compound containing a carbonyl group within the carbon chain.

Phosphate Group

A functional group consisting of a phosphorus atom bonded to four oxygen atoms, highly reactive and important in energy transfer.

Hydroxyl Group

A functional group consisting of an oxygen atom bonded to a hydrogen atom; characteristic of alcohols.