Carboxylic Acids, Amines, Amides, Carbohydrates, and Lipids Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards for Carboxylic Acids and Derivatives

Carboxylic Acid

An organic compound with a carboxyl functional group; a carbonyl group (C=O) with a hydroxyl group (-OH) bonded to the carbonyl atom.

Saturated (in the context of carboxylic acids)

Refers to compounds with single bonds only.

Unsaturated (in the context of carboxylic acids)

Refers to compounds with double or triple bonds.

Acetic Acid

CH3COOH; the main component of vinegar, which is a 4%-8% (v/v) acetic acid solution.

Oxalic Acid

HOOC-COOH; found in spinach and cabbage, poisonous at high concentrations, and used as a cleansing or bleaching agent.

Polyfunctional Carboxylic Acids (PCAs)

Carboxylic acids that contain at least one functional group other than the carboxyl group; commonly found in living organisms.

Unsaturated Acids

PCAs that contain at least one carbon-carbon double bond (C=C).

Hydroxy Acids

PCAs that contain at least one hydroxyl group.

Keto Acids

PCAs that contain a carbonyl (C=O) group within a carbon chain.

Esterification

The reaction of a carboxylic acid and an alcohol in the presence of an acid catalyst to produce an ester.

Ester Hydrolysis

The breaking of the carbon–oxygen single (C-O) bond that holds the “alcohol part” and the “acid part” in an ester.

Saponification

Hydrolysis of an ester under basic conditions to form a carboxylic acid salt (soap).

Thioester

A sulfur-containing analog of an ester in which an —SR group has replaced the —OR group.

Polyester

Polymers formed by reacting difunctional monomers, such as dicarboxylic acids and dialcohols.

Triacylglycerols

Also known as Fats and Oils, are esters of glycerol and predominantly long-chain fatty acids.

Detergent

Cleansing agent

Acid Chloride

A carboxylic acid derivative in which the “-OH” portion of the carboxyl group has been replaced with a “-Cl” atom.

Acid Anhydride

A carboxylic acid derivative in which the “-OH” portion of the carboxyl group has been replaced with an “acyl” group.

Acyl Group

The portion of a carboxylic acid that remains after the —OH group is removed from the carboxyl carbon atom.

Amides

A compound containing a NH2 group attached to a carbonyl group (C=O).

Amines

Derivatives of Ammonia (NH3).

Heterocyclic Amine

An organic compound with nitrogen atoms of amine groups present in a ring system.

Alkaloids

Physiologically active nitrogen-containing compounds produced by plants, often used as stimulants, anesthetics, and antidepressants.

Amine Salts

Formed when the amine group is neutralized by acid.

Neurotransmitter

A chemical substance that is released at the end of a nerve, travels across the synaptic gap between the nerve and another nerve, and then binds to a receptor site on the other nerve, triggering a nerve impulse

Ammonium Salt

A product of the reaction between Carboxylic acids and Ammonia. When heated, ammonium salts of carboxylic acids lose a molecule of water and are converted to amides.

Lactam

A cyclic amide.

Urea

When the body disposes nitrogen by the formation of diamide.

Carbohydrates

Also known as Saccharides “Sugar”. Organic compounds composed of Carbon, Hydrogen, and Oxygen; Polyhydroxyl alcohols with potentially active carbonyl groups which may be either an Aldehyde or Ketone group.

Isomers

Molecules that have the same chemical formula but differ in their chemical structures.

Lipid

An organic compound found in living organisms that is insoluble (or only sparingly soluble) in water but soluble in non-polar organic solvents. They are classified based on solubility ,not on any functional groups

Fatty acids

basic units of fat composed of chains of carbon atoms with an acid group at one end and hydrogen atoms attached all along their length. Usually contain 12-18 carbon atoms. Present as either esterified or non-esterified form in fats and oils.

Non-Esterified Fatty Acids (NEFA or FFA)

Any fatty acid that occurs free, rather than esterified with glycerol to form a glyceride, usually as a result of hydrolysis. Always bound to a transport protein such as albumin.

Omega Acids

Essential Fatty Acids: Must be part of the diet nutritionally important Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids

Triacylglycerols (TGs)

Also called fats and oils, which are esters of glycerol formed when the hydroxyl groups of glycerol react with the carboxyl groups of fatty acids.

Phospholipids

The main lipid constituent of cell membranes - glycerol + 2 fatty acids + phosphate group, also considered a derivative of phosphatidic acid.

Sphingophospholipids

Structures based on the 18-carbon monounsaturated aminodialcohol sphingosine - contains one fatty acid and one phosphate group attached to a sphingosine molecule and an alcohol attached to the phosphate group

Glycolipids (Sphingoglycolipids)

Are widely distributed in the body Fatty acids + sphingosine + carbohydrate

Cholesterol (C27 Steroid Molecule)

The third major type of membrane lipid - Best known steroid because of its association with atherosclerosis and heart diseases.

Emulsifier

Is a substance that can disperse and stabilize water-insoluble substances as colloidal particles in an aqueous solution.

Lipoproteins

macromolecular complex of lipids and proteins that Delivers lipids throughout the body through the bloodstream