Organic Chemistry Overview

Flashcards covering key terms and concepts from the lecture on Organic Chemistry.

Organic Chemistry

The study of the structure, properties, and reactions of organic compounds.

Organic Compounds

Molecules that contain carbon atoms.

Hydrocarbons

Molecules that only contain hydrogen and carbon.

Macromolecules

Large molecules such as nucleic acids, proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates.

Valence Electrons

Electrons in the outermost shell of an atom that are involved in forming bonds.

Covalent Bonds

Chemical bonds formed by the sharing of electrons between atoms.

Alkane

A saturated hydrocarbon with single bonds (CnH2n+2).

Alkene

An unsaturated hydrocarbon with at least one double bond (CnH2n).

Alkyne

An unsaturated hydrocarbon with at least one triple bond (CnHn).

Isomer

Compounds that have the same molecular formula but different structures.

Enantiomers

Isomers that are mirror images of each other.

Functional Groups

Groups attached to organic compounds that determine their chemical behavior.

Hydroxyl Group

-OH; a functional group characteristic of alcohols.

Carbonyl Group

C=O; a functional group that is polar and very reactive.

Carboxyl Group

COOH; a functional group that can release H+ and is acidic.

Amino Group

NH₂; a functional group that acts as a base and removes H+ from solutions.

Sulfhydryl Group

-SH; a functional group that stabilizes protein structures.

Phosphate Group

-PO₄; a functional group involved in ATP and DNA.

Methyl Group

-CH₃; a nonpolar group that is part of DNA.

Ester Group

-COC; a functional group involved in fats.

Aldehyde

-CHO; a functional group that is always found at the end of a molecule.

Ketone

-C(=O)-; a polar and highly reactive functional group.