chapter four- carbon

Which element is considered the 'backbone' of living organisms' compounds?

Carbon

Biomolecules such as proteins, nucleic acids, and lipids all contain which common element?

Carbon

How many valence electrons does a carbon atom possess?

4

To complete its outer octet, how many additional electrons does a carbon atom require?

4

What is the maximum number of covalent bonds a single carbon atom can form?

4

List the six elements carbon most frequently bonds with to create organic molecules.

Carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, and phosphorus.

What molecular shape is formed when a carbon atom is bonded to four other atoms?

Tetrahedral

What is the molecular formula for Methane?

$CH_4$

What is the molecular formula for Ethane?

$C_2H_6$

What is the molecular formula for Ethene (ethylene)?

$C_2H_4$

When two carbon atoms are joined by a double bond, the atoms attached to them exist in the same _____.

Plane

The number of covalent bonds an atom can form is generally equal to the number of _____ electrons in its valence shell.

Unpaired

What is the valence of Hydrogen?

1

What is the valence of Oxygen?

2

What is the valence of Nitrogen?

3

What is the valence of Carbon?

4

What do biologists call the 'building code' for the architecture of living molecules?

The valences of carbon and its most frequent bonding partners.

What are the four primary ways that carbon skeletons can vary?

Length, branching, double bond position, and the presence of rings.

Carbon chains form the _____ of most organic molecules.

Skeletons

Term: Hydrocarbon

Definition: An organic molecule consisting entirely of carbon and hydrogen.

Why are hydrocarbons hydrophobic?

They consist almost entirely of nonpolar carbon-to-hydrogen bonds.

What is a major biological characteristic of the reactions hydrocarbons undergo?

They release a large amount of energy.

Which common dietary organic molecules contain significant hydrocarbon components?

Fats

In adipose cells, where are fat molecules primarily stored?

Fat droplets

The distinctive properties of organic molecules depend on both the carbon skeleton and the _____ attached to it.

Chemical groups

Which two sex hormones share an identical carbon skeleton but differ in their attached chemical groups?

Estradiol and testosterone.

Term: Functional Groups

Definition: Specific configurations of atoms most commonly involved in the chemical reactions of organic molecules.

How many common functional groups are identified as being key to biomolecules?

7

What is the chemical formula for the Hydroxyl group?

$-OH$

What is the compound name for molecules containing a hydroxyl group?

Alcohol

Why is the hydroxyl group considered polar?

It contains an electronegative oxygen atom.

What type of intermolecular bond can a hydroxyl group form with water?

Hydrogen bond

Name the specific alcohol found in alcoholic beverages.

Ethanol

What is the chemical formula for the Carbonyl group?

$>C=O$

What are the two sub-types of carbonyl compounds based on the group's location?

Ketones and aldehydes.

Sugars containing a ketone group are classified as _____.

Ketoses

Sugars containing an aldehyde group are classified as _____.

Aldoses

Identify the simplest ketone mentioned in the material.

Acetone

Identify the aldehyde used as an example in the material.

Propanal

What is the chemical formula for the Carboxyl group?

$-COOH$

What is the compound name for molecules containing a carboxyl group?

Carboxylic acid (or organic acid).

The carboxyl group acts as an acid because it can donate a(n) _____.

Hydrogen ion ($H^+$)

What is the name of the ionized form of the carboxyl group found in cells?

Carboxylate ion

Which carboxylic acid gives vinegar its sour taste?

Acetic acid

What is the chemical formula for the Amino group?

$-NH_2$

What is the compound name for molecules containing an amino group?

Amine

Does the amino group act as an acid or a base?

Base

Name the amino acid provided as an example that contains both an amino and a carboxyl group.

Glycine

What is the chemical formula for the Sulfhydryl group?

$-SH$

What is the compound name for molecules containing a sulfhydryl group?

Thiol

How do two sulfhydryl groups interact to stabilize protein structure?

They react to form a cross-link.

Identify the sulfur-containing amino acid mentioned in the text.

Cysteine

What is the chemical formula for the Phosphate group?

$-OPO_3^{2-}$

What is the compound name for molecules containing a phosphate group?

Organic phosphate

What electrical charge does a phosphate group contribute to a molecule?

Negative charge

When a phosphate group is attached to a molecule, it confers the ability to react with _____ to release energy.

Water

What does the abbreviation ATP stand for?

Adenosine triphosphate

Which molecule consists of adenosine attached to three phosphate groups?

ATP

The reaction of ATP with water is known as ATP _____.

Hydrolysis

What are the two primary chemical products of ATP hydrolysis?

ADP (adenosine diphosphate) and inorganic phosphate.

Why does ATP have high potential chemical energy?

It contains a high concentration of negative charge in a small volume.

What is the chemical formula for the Methyl group?

$-CH_3$

What is the compound name for molecules containing a methyl group?

Methylated compound

Which specific DNA component is modified by methyl groups to affect gene expression?

5-Methylcytosine

The addition of methyl groups to DNA is a mechanism within the field of _____.

Epigenetics

In addition to DNA modification, methyl groups also affect the shape and function of _____ hormones.

Sex