Chapter 4: Carbon

Hydrocarbons

Organic molecules consisting of only carbon and hydrogen.

Functional Groups

Covalently bound groups to the carbon backbone that are commonly involved in chemical reactions.

What are Hydrocarbons primarily found in?

Many organic molecules, such as fats (lipids).

What enables the formation of large, complex, and diverse organic molecules?

Carbon's 4 valence electrons allow it to form four covalent bonds.

Hydroxyl

A functional group (-OH) that increases solubility and helps form H-bonds.

Carbonyl

A functional group (C=O) found in sugars, serving a structural role.

Carboxyl

A functional group (-COOH) that acts as an acid, donating H+.

Amino

A functional group (-NH2) that acts as a base, picking up H+.

Sulfhydryl

A functional group (-SH) that forms covalent bonds in proteins.

Phosphate

A functional group (-OPO3^2-) that confers negative charge and helps in energy transfer, e.g., ATP.

Methyl

A functional group (-CH3) that affects gene expression and function.

What is ATP?

Adenosine triphosphate, the primary energy-transferring molecule in cells.

What does the hydrolysis of ATP involve?

Removal of a phosphate group, releasing energy used for cellular processes.

Isomers

Molecules with the same molecular formula but different structures.

Cis-Trans Isomers

Isomers that differ in spatial arrangement around a double bond.

What are Enantiomers?

Mirror images of each other, important in pharmaceuticals.

What is the significance of isomers in biology?

Isomers can have different biological effects despite having the same molecular formula.