Biological Macromolecules

These flashcards cover key concepts from the lecture on biological macromolecules, focusing on the properties and variations of carbon.

What are the main categories of biological macromolecules covered in Chapter 3?

Carbohydrates, Lipids, Proteins, Nucleic Acids.

What is the significance of carbon in organic compounds?

Carbon can form large, complex molecules needed for life due to its ability to form four covalent bonds.

What are organic compounds primarily composed of?

Organic compounds mainly contain carbon and usually hydrogen.

What are the four variations in carbon skeletons?

Length, double (or triple) bonds, branching, and rings.

What distinguishes 1-Butene from 2-Butene?

1-Butene has a double bond between the 1st and 2nd carbons, while 2-Butene has it between the 2nd and 3rd carbons.

What is an isomer?

Isomers are molecules with the same molecular formula but different structural arrangements.

Give an example of two isomers.

1-Butene and 2-Butene, both have the formula C4H8 but different structures.

What is the difference between butane and isobutane?

Butane is unbranched while isobutane is branched.

What do carbon skeletons of organic compounds often create?

They create incredible diversity in organic compounds.

How are carbon skeletons represented in ring structures?

Each corner of the ring represents a carbon, with hydrogens implied but not shown.