Campbell Biology Chapter 4

Organic Chemistry

the study of carbon compounds

carbon

form diverse molecules by bonding to four other atoms

electron configuration

key to an atoms chemical characteristics

hydrocarbons

organic molecules consisting of only hydrogen and carbon major component of petroleum

undergo reactions that release a relatively large amount of energy

isomers

compounds that have the same element but different structures hence different properties

structural isomers

differ covalent arrangements of their atoms

single bonds

allow the atom they join to rotate freely about the bond axis without changing the compound

double bonds

do not permit the atom to rotate

cis isomer

arrangement with both x's on the same side of the double bond

"same or close"

trans isomer

arrangement with the x's on opposite sides of the double bond

"different"

Enantiomers

isomers that are mirror images of each other and that differ in shape due to the presence of asymmetric carbon

asymmetric carbon

is attached to four different atoms or group of atoms

functional groups

chemical groups involved directly in chemical reactions

hydroxyl group

-OH

names end in -ol typically

polar due to electronegative oxygen. Forms hydrogen bonds with water, helps dissolve compounds such as sugars

carbonyl group

sugars with ketone

groups are ketoses, those with aldehydes are called aldoses

ketoses

within

aldehydes

end

carboxyl group

acts as an acid because the covalent bond between oxygen and hydrogen is so polar.

amino group

acts as a base, can pick up an H+ from the surrounding solution

Sulfhydryl group

-SH

two -SH groups can react forming a "cross-link" that helps stabilize protein structure. Hair protein cross-links maintain the straightness or curliness of hair

phosphate group

contributes negative charge

potential to react with water and release energy

methyl group

CH3

affects the expression of genes when on DNA or on proteins bound to DNA, shape and function of male and female hormones

adenosine triphosphate

ATP

complicated organic phosphate

consists of an organic molecule called adenosine attached to a string of three phosphate groups