AP Biology Carbon Compounds

Isomers

Compounds with the same molecular formula but different structures, properties, and functions

Organic compounds

Molecules of life containing carbon and hydrogen

Hydroxyl

OH

Methyl

CH₃

Carbonyl

Carbon double-bonded to oxygen

Carboxyl

Carbon double-bonded to oxygen and single-bonded to hydroxide

Amino/Amine

NH₂

Phosphate

PO₄

Sulfhydryl

SH

Starch (carbohydrate)

Plant storage of sugars (energy)

Cellulose (carbohydrate)

Fiber-like material in plant cell walls (structure)

Glycogen (carbohydrate)

Energy storage in animal muscles and liver (energy)

Chitin (carbohydrate)

Structural support in arthropod exoskeletons and fungi cell walls (structure)

Triglyceride (lipid)

Long term energy storage, shock absorber for organs, insulation, consists of one glycerol and three fatty acid tails

Phospholipid (lipid)

Maintains permeability of the cell membrane, hydrophilic head and two hydrophobic fatty acid tails

Fatty Acid

A hydrocarbon chain with a carboxyl group at one end

Steroids (lipid)

Cell signaling (hormones), four fused rings (three 6-C rings and one 5-C ring)

Proteins

Growth and repair, signaling between cells, defense against invaders, and catalyzing chemical reactions

Fibrous proteins

Structure is in strands or sheets, water insoluble, strong

Globular proteins

Folded in compact rounded shapes, water soluble

Nucleotide

Monomer of nucleic acids, 5-C sugar, nitrogen base, phosphate group

Purines

Double ring, adenine, guanine

Pyrimidines

Single ring, thymine, cytosine