Chapter 4 - Carbons

Biology 199

Carbon

backbone of biological molecules

all living organisms

are made up of chemicals based mostly on the element carbon

organic chemistry

study of carbon compounds

organic compounds

range from simple molecules to colossal ones

formation of bonds

with carbon and 4 valence electrons; nonpolar covalent bonds

Carbon atoms

form diverse molecules by bonding to four other atoms; not very electronegative

The bonding versatility of carbon

allows it to form many diverse molecules, including carbon skeletons

The electron configuration of carbon

gives it covalent compatibility with many different elements

carbon chains

form the skeletons of most organic molecules; vary in length and shape

length and shape

carbon chains vary in ______ and ______

isomers

same formula, different structure

functional groups

parts of molecules involved in chemical reactions; are the chemically reactive groups of atoms within an organic molecule; modifiers you put on carbon molecules that change the nature; gives organic molecules distinctive chemical properties

six funcation groups

Hydroxal, Carbonyl, Carboxyl, Amino, Sulfhydryl, Phosphate

Carboxal

weakly acid (decrease ph,) and capable of Hydrogen bonding (steal e- from H); polar

Carbonyl

uncharged, but polar; changes shape by bending it; ketones (carbon group within carbon skeleton); aldehydes (carbon group at end of carbon skeleton)

ketones

if the carbon group is within the carbon skeleton

aldehydes

if the carbon group is at the end of the carbon skeleton

Hydroxal

polar molecule, attracts water molecules, helps dissolve organic molecules, such as sugars; hydrophilic (has charge); where chemistry occurs, reactive, makes hydrocarbons polar and chemically reactive

Amino

acts as a base; can pick up a proton from the surrounding solution; positively charged (cation)

Sulfhydral

can interact to help stabilize protein structure; polar; stabilize proteins because they bond each other

Phosphate

makes the molecules of which it is a part an anion; can transfer energy between organic molecules; nonpolar; negative (anions in nature); important in ATP (phosphate backbones) transfer energy