Chapter 4: Carbon & the Molecular Diversity of Life

BIO 105 @ Hampton University

How many bonds can carbon form?

4 bonds (single bond = +1, double bond = +2, triple bond = +3)

What does Carbon usually bond to?

1. Hydrogen

2. Oxygen

3. Nitrogen

4. Other Carbon

Carbon’s usual molecular geometry?

Tetrahedral

Valence

the number of covalent bonds an atom can form

• Generally equal to the number of e^- required to fill an atom’s outermost shell

Organic Chemistry

The study of compounds containing carbon

Basis of most organic molecules?

Carbon Chains

• Vary in:

  • Length

  • Arrangement: straight, branched, and cyclic