AP Bio Chapter 4

based on Pearson

hydroxyl group

A chemical group consisting of an oxygen atom joined to a hydrogen atom. Molecules possessing this group are soluble in water and are called alcohols.

amino group

A chemical group consisting of a nitrogen atom bonded to two hydrogen atoms; can act as a base in solution, accepting a hydrogen ion and acquiring a charge of 1 +.

enantiomer

One of two compounds that are mirror images of each other and that differ in shape due to the presence of an asymmetric carbon.

carbonyl group

A chemical group present in aldehydes and ketones and consisting of a carbon atom double-bonded to an oxygen atom.

carboxyl group

A chemical group present in organic acids and consisting of a single carbon atom double-bonded to an oxygen atom and also bonded to a hydroxyl group.

methyl group

A chemical group consisting of a carbon bonded to three hydrogen atoms. This group may be attached to a carbon or to a different atom.

hydrocarbon

An organic molecule consisting only of carbon and hydrogen.

isomer

One of two or more compounds that have the same numbers of atoms of the same elements but different structures and hence different properties.

Sulfhydryl Group

A chemical group consisting of a sulfur atom bonded to a hydrogen atom.

Functional Group

A specific configuration of atoms commonly attached to the carbon skeletons of organic molecules and involved in chemical reactions.

Cis-Trans Isomer

One of several compounds that have the same molecular formula and covalent bonds between atoms but differ in the spatial arrangements of their atoms owing to the inflexibility of double bonds; formerly called a geometric isomer.

Phosphate group

A chemical group consisting of a phosphorus atom bonded to four oxygen atoms; important in energy transfer.

Structural Isomer

One of two or more compounds that have the same molecular formula but differ in the covalent arrangements of their atoms.

Ketone

compound where the carbonyl group is within a carbon skeleton

Aldehyde

compound where the carbonyl group is at the end of a carbon skeleton