Concept 4.3: A few chemical groups are key to molecular function

Flashcards from Concept 4.3 of Pearson's Campbell Biology, Twelfth Edition.

Organic molecule properties

Depends on the carbon skeleton and chemical groups attached to it, giving it unique properties

Estradiol and testosterone

Steroids with a common carbon skeleton in the form of four fused rings, differing only in the chemical groups attached to the skeleton’s rings

Functional groups

The components of organic molecules most commonly involved in chemical reactions and molecular properties

Includes groups of:

• Hydroxyl

• Carbonyl

• Carboxyl

• Amino

• Sulfhydryl

• Phosphate

• Methyl

Hydroxyl

Functional group with the formula (—OH) or (HO—), also known as alcohol and included in ethanol

Carbonyl

Functional group with the formula (>C=O), also known as ketone or aldehyde and included in acetone or propanal

Carboxyl

Functional group with the formula (—COOH), also known as carboxylic acid or organic acid and included in acetic acid as well as its ionized form

Amino

Functional group with the formula (—NH₂), also known as amine and included in glycine as well as its ionized form

Sulfhydryl

Functional group with the formula (—SH) or (HS—), also known as thiol and included in cysteine

Phosphate

Funcational group with the formula (—OPO₃^2-), also known as organic phosphate and included in glycerol phosphate

Methyl

Functional group with the formula (—CH₃), also known as methylated compound and included in 5-Methylcytosine

Adenosine triphosphate (ATP)

An important organic phosphate, consisting of an organic molecule called adenosine attached to a string of three phosphate groups

• Reacts with water easily to release energy for cell utilization