Organic Compounds

Fermentation

ethanol can be produced by the fermentation of sugar

this is a renewable resource

sugar → ethanol + carbon dioxide

this is done between temperatures 25 - 50

when the temperature is too high, the yeast denatures

when the temperature is too low, the yeast becomes inactive and the reaction slows.

Alcohols

Alcohols are a homogulous group, meaning they all have the same functional group

this group is hydroxyl, or OH

methanol, ethanol, propanol, butanol, are the first four alcohols

methanol has one carbon

ethanol has two carbons

propanol has three carbons

butanol has four carbons

alcohols dissolve in water to form neutral solutions

alcohols react with sodium to produce hydrogen

alcohols burn in air to produce carbon dioxide AND water

alcohols are used as fuels and solvents.

alcoholic drinks contain ethanol.

ethanol oxidises to ethanoic acid by chemical oxidising or the action of bacteria from the air

ethanoic acid is the main acid in vinegar

Carboxylic Acids

carboxylic acids are organic compounds

carboxylic acids have the functional group carboxyl or COOH

carboxylic acids dissolve in water to form acidic solutions

carboxylic acids produce carbon dioxide when reacted with carbonates

carboxylic acids react with alcohols (acid catalyst) to form esters

carboxylic acids not do dissociate fully in water, they are weak acids.

Esters

alcohols as carboxylic acids react to form esters

ethanol + ethanoic acid → ethyl ethanoate

Amino Acids

Amino acids have two different functional groups

the amine group - NH2

the carboxyl group - COOH

Glycine is an amino acid

Glycine NH2 CH2 COOH

Amino acids join together to form polymers, called proteins

DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid)

DNA is a very large molecule

DNA is essential for life

DNA stores and transmits instructions for development

DNA is made from two polymer chains

The chains are constructed from four different nucelotides

The two polymer chains form a double helix (spiral)

Starch and Cellulose

Starch and Cellulose are polymers of sugar

They are made by plants and important for life

Sugar, starch, cellulose are carbohydrates

glucose molecules join to form starch molecules