Carbon and the Molecular Diversity of Life

Carbon Chemistry

• Carbon is the backbone of biological molecules
• All living organisms are made up of chemicals based mostly on the element carbon
• Organic chemistry is the study of carbon compounds
• Carbon atoms can form diverse molecules by bonding to four other atoms
• Carbon compounds range from simple molecules to complex ones
• Carbon has four valence electrons and may from single, double, triple, or quadruple bonds
• The bonding versatility of carbon allows it to form many diverse molecules, including carbon skeleton
• The electron configuration of carbon gives it covalent compatibility with many different elements
• Carbon may bond to itself, forming carbon chains
• Carbon chains form the skeletons of most organic molecules
• Carbon chains vary in length and shape

Hydrocarbons

• Hydrocarbons are molecules consisting of only carbon and hydrogen
• Hydrocarbons are found in many of a cell’s organic molecules

Isomers

• Isomers are molecules with the same molecular formula but different structures and properties
• Three types of isomers are
• Structural
• Geometric
• Enantiomers
  • Important in the pharmaceutical industry

Functional groups

• Functional groups are the parts of molecules involved in chemical reactions
• They are the chemically reactive groups of atoms within an organic molecule
• Each organic molecule has distinctive chemical properties