Organic and Inorganic Carbon Compounds Study Guide

These flashcards cover key concepts related to the properties and reactions of organic and inorganic carbon compounds, including fundamental concepts and examples necessary for understanding the significance of carbon to life on Earth.

Carbon Cycle

The process by which carbon is exchanged among the biosphere, geosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere.

Photosynthesis

The process by which green plants and some other organisms use sunlight to synthesize foods with the help of chlorophyll.

Cellular Respiration

The process by which cells convert glucose and oxygen into energy, carbon dioxide, and water.

Fossil Fuels

Natural fuels formed from the remains of ancient plants and animals, impacting the carbon cycle.

Greenhouse Effect

The warming of Earth's surface due to the trapping of heat by greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

Carbon Budget

The balance between the amount of carbon emitted into the atmosphere and the amount removed.

Hydrocarbons

Organic compounds consisting entirely of hydrogen and carbon, categorized into alkanes, alkenes, and alkynes.

Alkanes

Saturated hydrocarbons with single bonds and general formula C_nH_(2n+2).

Alkenes

Unsaturated hydrocarbons containing at least one double bond, with general formula C_nH_(2n).

Alkynes

Unsaturated hydrocarbons containing at least one triple bond, with general formula C_nH_(2n-2).

Alcohols

Organic compounds with hydroxyl (-OH) functional groups, classified into monohydric, dihydric, and trihydric.

Carboxylic Acids

Organic acids characterized by the presence of a carboxyl group (-COOH).

Esters

Derived from carboxylic acids and alcohols, known for their pleasant aromas and flavors.

Acidification of Oceans

The decrease in the pH of ocean water due to the absorption of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, affecting marine life.

Structural Formulas

Diagrams that show the arrangement of atoms within a molecule.

Chemical Formulas

A way to express the composition of a compound using symbols for the elements and subscripts to denote the number of atoms.