honors bio

# Study Guide: Organic Compounds

## Overview of Inorganic vs. Organic Compounds

- Inorganic Compounds: Do not contain Carbon.

- Examples: Water (H₂O), Salt (NaCl)

- Organic Compounds: Contain both Carbon and Hydrogen.

- Examples: Glucose, Proteins

- Importance of Carbon:

- Carbon forms 4 bonds and can create rings, chains, and multiple bond types (single and double).

## Four Groups of Organic Compounds

1. Carbohydrates

2. Lipids (Fats)

3. Nucleic Acids (DNA)

4. Proteins

### Monomers and Polymers

- Monomer: A small building block or subunit.

- Polymer: A larger molecule made up of monomers linked together.

- Dehydration Synthesis: Process where monomers are linked to form polymers by removing water.

- Hydrolysis: Process of breaking down polymers into monomers by adding water.

## Detailed Breakdown of Organic Compounds

### 1. Carbohydrates

- Sources: Fruits, Vegetables, Pastas, Cereals, Potatoes, Rice

- Function: Energy storage and structural support.

- Composition: Contain Carbon (C), Hydrogen (H), and Oxygen (O) in a 2:1 ratio of H to O.

- Monomer: Monosaccharide (e.g., Glucose: C₆H₁₂O₆)

- Isomers: Different structures with the same formula (e.g., Glucose, Fructose).

- Polymer: Polysaccharides (e.g., Starches, Glycogen, Cellulose)

- Disaccharide: Made from two monosaccharides bonded together (e.g., Maltose, Sucrose, Lactose).

### 2. Lipids

- Sources: Salmon, Butter, Cheese, Red Meats, Chocolate, Ice Cream, Nuts, Olive Oil

- Function: Energy storage, cell membrane structure, and chemical messengers (hormones).

- Composition: Contain C, H, O; can be liquid (oils) or solid (fats) at room temperature.

- Monomers: Glycerol and 3 Fatty Acids.

- Polymer: Fats and Oils, Sterols (cholesterol), Phospholipids.

- Types:

- Saturated: No double bonds between carbon atoms (e.g., Red meats, Dairy).

- Unsaturated: One or more double bonds (e.g., Fish oils, Vegetable oils).

### 3. Proteins

- Sources: Meats, Fish, Cheese, Yogurt

- Function: Movement, chemical reactions (enzymes), immunity, hormonal signaling, and transport.

- Composition: Contain C, H, O, and Nitrogen (N).

- Monomer: Amino Acids (20 different types).

- Polymer: Polypeptides.

- Importance of Sequence: The sequence of amino acids determines the protein's shape and function.

### 4. Nucleic Acids

- Types: DNA and RNA

- Composition: Made of C, H, O, N, P.

- Monomer: Nucleotides.

- Function: Storage of genetic information.

## Enzymes

- Definition: Proteins that act as catalysts to speed up chemical reactions.

- Function: Lower the activation energy required for reactions.

- Substrate: The molecule an enzyme acts upon.

- Factors Affecting Activity:

- Temperature:

- Low = slower, High = faster until optimal, then denaturation occurs.

- pH: Each enzyme has an optimal pH for activity.

- Substrate Concentration: Amount of substrate available for the enzyme.

- Enzyme Concentration: Number of enzyme molecules present.

### Example of Enzyme Action

- Lactase: Enzyme that breaks down lactose into glucose and galactose.

## Properties of Water

- Polarity: Water molecules have positively and negatively charged ends.

- Hydrogen Bonds: Form between water molecules, giving water unique properties.

- Cohesion: Attraction between water molecules.

- Adhesion: Attraction of water molecules to other substances.

- Surface Tension: Water's tendency to form a "skin" at the surface.

- High Heat Capacity: Water can absorb a lot of heat before increasing in temperature.

- Less Dense as a Solid: Ice floats, providing insulation for aquatic life.

- Good Solvent: Water effectively dissolves many substances.

## Mixtures

1. Suspension: One substance is not dissolved (e.g., blood).

2. Solution: One substance is evenly dissolved in another (e.g., salt in water).

- Solvent: Substance doing the dissolving.

- Solute: Substance being dissolved.

## Acids and Bases

- Acid: Increases H⁺ in a solution.

- Base: Increases OH⁻ in a solution.

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### Review Questions

1. What distinguishes organic compounds from inorganic compounds?

2. Name the four groups of organic compounds and give a brief description of their functions.

3. What is the difference between a monomer and a polymer?

4. Describe the process of dehydration synthesis and hydrolysis.

5. What are enzymes, and why are they important for biological processes?

6. How does water's polarity contribute to its properties?

By studying these concepts, you will have a solid understanding of organic compounds, their functions, and their importance in biological systems.