Properties and Functions of Carbon-based Molecules

These flashcards cover key vocabulary terms and concepts related to the properties and functions of carbon-based molecules, as discussed in the lecture.

Organic Chemistry

A branch of chemistry focused on molecules that involve carbon.

Carbon-based Molecules

Molecules primarily consisting of carbon and are often classified into carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids.

Covalent Bonds

Chemical bonds formed by the sharing of electrons between atoms, with carbon typically forming single, double, or triple bonds.

Monomer

A single subunit that combines to form polymers.

Polymer

A large molecule made of multiple repeating monomers.

Isomers

Two or more variations of a molecule that have the same chemical formula but different structural arrangements.

Hydrocarbon

Molecules consisting entirely of hydrogen and carbon.

Biomolecules

Another term for carbon-based macromolecules such as carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids.

Carbohydrates

Organic compounds composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, often serving as a primary energy source.

Monosaccharide

The simplest form of carbohydrates, usually consisting of five or six carbon atoms.

Disaccharide

A carbohydrate formed by joining two monosaccharides.

Polysaccharide

Carbohydrates that are formed by numerous monosaccharide units linked together.

Lipids

A diverse group of hydrophobic organic compounds including fats, oils, and waxes.

Saturated Fatty Acid

Fatty acids with only single bonds between carbon atoms, typically solid at room temperature.

Unsaturated Fatty Acid

Fatty acids that contain one or more double or triple bonds between carbon atoms, usually liquid at room temperature.

Phospholipid

A type of lipid that makes up cell membranes, featuring hydrophilic heads and hydrophobic tails.

Steroid

A type of lipid characterized by a ring structure, commonly functioning as hormones.

Hydrophilic

Attracts water; describes the phosphate group in phospholipids.

Hydrophobic

Repels water; describes the fatty acid tails in phospholipids.