Organic Molecules Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards based on lecture notes about organic molecules, covering topics such as carbon properties, functional groups, synthesis and breakdown of molecules, carbohydrates, nucleic acids, proteins, and lipids.

Organic Molecules

Molecules that contain carbon.

Carbon Atom

An atom that can form up to four covalent bonds and serves as the backbone of many biological molecules.

Pure Hydrocarbons

Nonpolar molecules containing a carbon backbone with only C-C and C-H bonds; hydrophobic and poorly soluble in water.

Partial Hydrocarbons

Molecules with a carbon backbone that have polar regions; hydrophilic and at least partially soluble in water.

Functional Group

A small group of atoms with specific chemical properties and consistent behavior in chemical reactions; can change the function and solubility of a hydrophobic molecule.

Dehydration Reactions

Reactions that link monomers in covalent bonds by removing a molecule of water to form polymers; catalyzed by enzymes.

Hydrolysis Reactions

Reactions that break the covalent bonds holding a polymer together by adding a molecule of water each time a monomer is released; catalyzed by enzymes.

Carbohydrates

Molecules with a ring backbone containing carbons and one oxygen atom; monomer is monosaccharide.

Monosaccharides

Simple sugars that can be joined together to form disaccharides through dehydration reactions.

Polysaccharides

Carbohydrate polymers formed when many monosaccharides are linked together.

Nucleic Acids

Polymers responsible for the storage, expression, and transmission of genetic information.

Nucleotides

Monomer building blocks of nucleic acids, composed of a phosphate group, a pentose sugar (ribose or deoxyribose), and a nitrogenous base.

Proteins

Polymers composed of amino acids; perform diverse functions in cells.

Amino Acids

Monomers of proteins, each with a common core structure (α-carbon, amino group, carboxylic acid group, hydrogen) and a variable side chain (R).

Nonpolar Amino Acids

Hydrophobic amino acids with nonpolar side chains (R-groups).

Polar Amino Acids

Hydrophilic amino acids with polar side chains.

Primary Structure

The linear sequence of amino acids in a protein, encoded by genes; peptide bonds contribute to this structure.

Secondary Structure

Protein structure formed as chemical groups (NH and CO) of the backbone interact with each other via hydrogen bonds; includes α helices and β pleated sheets.

Tertiary Structure

The overall 3-dimensional folded shape of a protein; R groups participate in chemical interactions and all types of bonds can contribute.

Quaternary Structure

Occurs when 2 or more protein subunits are assembled together to form a functional complex; all types of chemical bonds can contribute.

Lipids

Molecules composed predominantly of hydrogen and carbon atoms; nonpolar and insoluble in water.

Fatty Acid

Long, linear carbon chain with a carboxylic acid group at one end.

Triglycerides

Molecules commonly known as fats and oils.

Unsaturated Fatty Acids

Fatty acids containing one or more carbon-carbon double bonds (C=C).

Phospholipids

Lipids that compose the semi-permeable membrane surrounding ALL cells.

Steroids

Lipids containing rings of carbon atoms.