Carbon: The Coolest Element in Life

BIO 123

What is the backbone of all living organisms according to the lecture?

Carbon is the backbone of everything living.

How do plants utilize carbon dioxide?

snatch CO2 from the air and turn it into organic molecules using sunlight.

What are some types of molecules that carbon can build?

proteins, DNA, and carbohydrates.

Which elements commonly bond with carbon in organic molecules?

Hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, and phosphorus.

What is organic chemistry primarily concerned with?

is all about carbon compounds.

What did the theory of vitalism propose about living things?

an theory suggested that living things had a special 'life force.'

What was the significance of Stanley Miller's experiment?

how organic molecules could have formed on early Earth.

How many valence electrons does carbon have for bonding?

Carbon has four valence electrons.

What shape do carbon compounds usually take when bonded to four other atoms?

Tetrahedral shape.

What is the difference between structural isomers and cis-trans isomers?

one has different connections, while other differs around double bonds.

What are functional groups in organic chemistry?

an groups that attach to carbon skeletons and give molecules special properties.

What is the role of ATP in cells?

acts like a battery, storing and releasing energy when needed.

What effect do enantiomers have in pharmaceuticals?

One may be beneficial while the other can be harmful.

What type of bond do hydrocarbons primarily consist of?

nonpolar carbon-hydrogen bonds.

What structure does the carboxyl group (-COOH) impart to a molecule?

It makes the molecule acidic.

What is the importance of the phosphate group (-OPO32-) in organic molecules?

It's important for energy transfer, such as in ATP.

How does the hydroxyl group (-OH) affect a molecule?

an group that makes substances water-soluble (hydrophilic), and alcohols that contain this group typically end in '-ol'.

Where are aldehydes and ketones located in relation to the carbonyl group (>C=O)?

Aldehydes are found at the end of the carbon chain, while ketones are positioned in the middle.

What is the significance of the amino group (-NH2) in biological molecules?

an group that is basic and is essential to amino acids, which are the fundamental building blocks of proteins.

What role does the sulfhydryl group (-SH) play in proteins?

an group that is important for stabilizing protein structures.

What is the reactivity of the methyl group (-CH3) and its function?

an group that is not reactive but serves as a marker for other molecules.