AP Bio Unit 1

I'm going to kill myself

Organic Molecules

Contains hydrogen and carbon

Inorganic Molecules

Does not contain hydrogen and carbon

Wolher’s Experiment

Demonstrated that organic compounds can be synthesized from inorganic precursors, specifically urea from ammonium cyanate. Essentially created the field of biochemistry.

Stanely Miller’s Experiment and the Origin of Life Results

Investigated the origins of life by simulating Earth's early conditions, producing organic compounds from inorganic substances. Presented theories on how life could have started.

Stanely Miller’s Experiment and the Origin of Life Conditions

A  closed system of glass tubes and flasks;  A boiling flask to simulate Earth’s oceans (water vapor); A chamber with a methane, ammonia, hydrogen, and water vapor; Electrodes that produced electrical sparks to simulate lightning; A condenser to cool the gases so they could form droplets.

Eventually, organic compounds formed

Structural Isomers

Same atoms, but differ in their arrangement

Geometric Isomers

Share the same covalent bonds, but differ in arrangement around a double bond or ring (creating trans or cis isomers)

Optical Isomers (Enantiomers)

Molecules are mirror images of each other, but cannot be superimposed on one another

Dehydration Synthesis

Produces water and fuses two monomers together; Produces a water molecule and requires energy

Hydrolysis

Polymers are broken down into monomers. Requires water for each bond broken and releases energy

Methyl Group

Insoluble in water (because its non-polar)

Hydroxyl Group

Soluble in water (Polar + Hydrophillic)

Forms hydrogen bonds

Carbonyl Group

Soluble in water

If on the terminal end = Aldehyde

If internal = Ketone

Carboxyl Group

Soluble in water (forms H+ bonds)

Dissociates to release H ions 

Organic Acid

Amino Group

Soluble, forms H bonds

Usually accepts protons to formed charged group

Organic Base

Sufhydryl Group

Soluble (Forms weak H bonds)

Two SH groups are easily oxidized to form Disulfide bond

Phosphate Group

Formed when phosphoric acid

Combines with organic compounds 

Soluble 

Forms H bonds

Usually disociates to release H+ ions