AP Bio Unit 1 Functional Groups

Hydroxyl Structure

R - O - H

Hydroxyl Properties

Polar, forms hydrogen bonds, increases solubility in water.

Methyl Structure

R —— C - H3

Methyl Properties

Nonpolar, hydrophobic, decreases solubility in water.

Carbonyl Structure

R —— C = O or R'

Carbonyl Properties

Polar and can form hydrogen bonds, increases solubility in water.

Carboxyl Properties

charged, ionized to release H+. Since Carboxyl groups can release H+ ions into solution they are considered acidic. Polar

Carboxyl Structure

R — C(=O) — OH

Amino Structure

R — C(=O) — NH2

Amino Properties

charged, can accept H+ ions, making them basic. Contains a polar amino group.

Phosphate Structure

R — O — P(=O)(O)(O)

Phosphate Propeties

Charged, ionizes to realease H+ ions, making it acidic. It plays a key role in energy transfer as part of ATP.

Sulfhydryl Structure

R — SH

Sulfhydryl Properties

Polar and can form disulfide bonds, which stabilize protein structures.