Chapter 4: Carbon and the Molecular Diversity of Life - Vocabulary

Organic Chemistry

The study of carbon compounds.

Isomers

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

Structural Isomers

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

Cis-trans Isomers

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; also called a geometric isomer.

Enantiomers

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

Functional Groups

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

Adenosine Triphosphate

An adenine-containing nucleoside triphosphate that releases free energy when its phosphate bonds are hydrolyzed. This energy is used to drive endergonic reactions in cells.