Carbon and the Molecular Diversity of Life

Why is carbon the basis of biological macromolecules

atom's bonding capability and very versatile

What is electron configuration

How many electrons are in outermost energy shell and how many that shell can hold

How many electrons are in Carbons valence shell? Why is this important

Carbon has 4 electrons in its valence shell so it can bond with four other atoms

What are carbon skeletons

When carbon bonds to other carbons, creating carbon chains

What do carbon chains do

form the skeletons of most organic molecules (molecules of living organisms)

What is the reason for the great amount of diversity on the planet

The versatility of carbon

What are hydrocarbons

organic molecules consisting of only carbon and hydrogen

Where are hydrocarbons found

Long hydrocarbon chains are found in fats and other lipids such as phospholipids, they are critical components of membranes

What chemical groups are most important in the processes of life

Estradiol and testosterone are both steroids with common a carbon skeleton, in the form of four fused rings. These sex hormones differ one in the chemical groups attached to the rings of the carbon skeleton

What are functional groups

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

What are the seven functional groups that are most important in the chemistry of life

hydroxyl, carbonyl, carboxyl, amino, sulfhydryl, phosphate, methyl

What is ATP

adenosine triphosphate; an important organic phosphate; an important source of energy for cellular processes

What does ATP consist of

an organic molecule called adenosine attached to a string of three phosphate groups

What does ATP do

It stores the potential to react with water, the reaction releases energy that can be used by the cell