Carbon and Organic Molecules

These flashcards cover key concepts related to carbon, organic molecules, functional groups, and their roles in biochemistry.

Carbon

The major element forming the backbone of organic molecules and fundamental to life.

Organic Molecules

Molecules that contain carbon.

Hydrocarbons

Compounds composed solely of hydrogen and carbon that store energy.

Isomers

Organic compounds that have the same type and number of atoms but different arrangements of their carbon skeletons or attached atoms.

Enantiomers

Isomers that are mirror images of each other, such as (S)-thalidomide and (R)-thalidomide.

Functional Groups

Specific groups of atoms within molecules that are responsible for the characteristic chemical reactions of those molecules.

Hydroxyl Group

The -OH functional group found in alcohols.

Carbonyl Group

Functional group characterized by a carbon atom double-bonded to an oxygen atom, seen in aldehydes and ketones.

Carboxyl Group

A functional group that produces carboxylic acids and readily donates hydrogen ions.

Amino Group

Functional group characterized by a nitrogen atom bonded to hydrogen, can act as a base.

Sulfhydryl Group

Functional group containing sulfur that can form covalent bonds important in cross-linking of proteins.

Phosphate Group

Functional group that plays a critical role in energy transfer within cells and is part of phospholipids.

Methyl Group

A chemical group that affects molecular shape but is not itself reactive.