Carbon and Functional Groups

Carbon

A tetravalent (4 valence e^- = able to form up to four bonds) atom that is essential to forming organic (carbon-containing) molecules

Hydrocarbons

Organic molecules consisting of only carbon and hydrogen (ex. fossil fuels, fat hydrocarbon tail)

Functional group

A group of atoms responsible for the chemical characteristics of a particular compound

What are the 6 functional groups you need to know + mnemonic?

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Hydroxyl

Carboxyl

Amino

Methyl

Phosphate

Sulfhydryl

Hydroxyl

• Chemical formula: OH

• Polar because of oxygen’s electronegativity

• Makes substances soluble

• Found in sugars and alcohols

Carboxyl

• AKA Carboxylic acid

• Chemical formula: COOH

• Found in amino acids

Amino

• AKA Amine group

• Chemical formula: NH₂

• Found in bases and amino acids

Methyl

• Chemical formula: CH₃

• Nonpolar

• Used by cells to alter expression rates of certain genes

Phosphate

• Chemical formula: PO₄^2-

• Negative charge = hydrophilic properties

• In nucleotides, phospholipids, ATP

Sulfhydryl

• Chemical formula: SH

• Holds things into place, helps with rigidity

• Found in crosslinked molecules, like rubber and hair