Biology Chapter 2.3: Carbon Compounds

Inorganic compounds

molecules that do not contain carbon

Organic molecules

molecules that contain carbon

Ex. Carbohydrates, Proteins, Fats + Lipids, Nucleic Acids

Carbon

• Can bond w/ up to 4 other atoms

• creates strong covalent bonds

• can bond to other C’s and create long chains of carbons

Polymerization

A process in which monomers link together to form polymers

Monomers

smaller molecules

Polymers

larger molecules

Fats/Lipids

• Contains C, H, and a little O

• Used for energy storage and membrane

• Most are a glycerol molecule attached to chains of C’s and H’s (fatty acid chain)

Saturated Fat

• Single bonded C

• straight fatty acid tails

• solid at room temperature

Unsaturated Fat

• Some double bonded C

• Bent fatty acid tails

• Liquid at room temperature

Examples of Fats/Lipids

• Oils

• Waxes

• Cholesterol

Carbohydrates

• Contains C, H, O in a 1:2:1 ratio

• Used for energy and plant structure (cellulose)

• Monomers are called monosaccharides

Examples of Carbohydrates

• Glucose

• Starch

• Sugar

• Cellulose

• Fiber

Proteins

• Contain C, H, N, O

• used for structure and function

• Monomers are called amino acids

• Polymers are called polypeptides

• VERY diverse

Examples of proteins

enzymes

Nucleic Acids

• Contain C, H, N, O, P

• Monomers are called nucleotides

• Source of genetic information

Examples of Nucleic Acids

• DNA

• RNA

Dehydration synthesis

• Occurs when one monomer loses a hydroxyl group (OH) and a nearby monomer loses a hydrogen (H)

• H and OH group bond to form water HOH

• 2 monomers bond together at the locations of their broken bonds

Hydrolysis

• Occurs when a water molecule (HOH) is split into a hydroxyl group (OH) and a hydrogen (H), each of which replace a broken bond between monomers

• One monomer bonds to the hydroxyl group

• The other monomer bonds to the hydrogen

Depolymerization

The process of breaking down a polymer into its monomers

How does water play a role in polymerization and depolymerization

• Polymerization: dehydration synthesis

• Depolymerization: Hydrolysis

Glycerol

• acts as a building block for fats, forming triglycerides