Chapter 4: Carbon and the Molecular Diversity of Life

Organic chemistry

the study of all molecules containing carbon

tetravalence

A molecule branching off in four directions; carbon is an example of this, a quality allowing it to be extremely versatile

Tetrahedral

the shape of a molecule with four bonded atoms

carbon skeletons

provide the basic structures for organic molecules

terpenoids

molecules derived from a 5 carbon precursor

hydrocarbon

Compounds composed of only carbon and hydrogen

isomer

Compounds with the same formula but different structures.

structural isomer

Compounds that have the same molecular formula but differ in the covalent arrangements of their atoms.

cis-trans isomers

have the same double covalent bond but differ in spatial arrangements

Stereoisomers

opitcal enantiomers; mirror images that cannot be superimposed on each other

functional groups

the components of organic molecules that are most commonly involved in chemical reactions

ATP

(adenosine triphosphate) main energy source that cells use for most of their work

hydrolysis

A chemical process that splits a molecule by adding water; releases energy

hydroxyl group

A chemical group consisting of an oxygen atom bonded to a hydrogen atom

carboxyl group

A functional group present in organic acids and consisting of a single carbon atom double-bonded to an oxygen atom and also bonded to a hydroxyl group.

amino group

a functional group consisting of a nitrogen atom bonded to two hydrogen atoms

phosphate group

A functional group consisting of a phosphorus atom covalently bonded to four oxygen atoms