Chapter 3: Biochemistry

Section 1- Carbon Compounds All compounds can be classified into two categories: Organic compounds: made primarily of carbon atoms Inorganic compounds: do not contain carbon atoms (with a few exceptions)

Carbon Bonding Carbon has four electrons in its outermost energy level Remember: atoms want to have 8 total electrons in its outer shell Carbon, has four spots for electrons open, and can therefore make up to four covalent bonds with other atoms

Carbon Bonding Carbon can also bond to other carbon atoms Straight carbon chains Branched carbon chain Carbon Ring

Carbon Bonding In chemistry, a line between two atoms represents a covalent bond formed when the two atoms share a pair of electrons A bond formed when two atoms share one pair of electrons is called a single bond

Carbon Bonding Atoms can also share multiple pairs of electrons Double bond: represented by two parallel lines, occurs when atoms share two pairs of electrons Triple bond: represented by three parallel lines, occurs when three pairs of electrons are shared

Types of Bonding

Functional Groups In organic compounds, functional groups influence the characteristics of the molecules they compose and the chemical reactions the molecules undergo

Functional Groups Example: -OH (Hydroxyl group) Important to many living things Can make the molecule its attached to polar Polar molecules are hydrophilic, or soluble in water

Large Carbon Molecules Many organic compounds are comprised of smaller, simpler molecules called monomers Multiple monomers can bond together and form polymers Polymers: molecules that consist of repeated, linked units. Large polymers are called macromolecules

Large Carbon Molecules There are many different types of macromolecules Carbohydrates Lipids Proteins Nucleic Acids

Large Carbon Molecules Monomers link to form polymers through a chemical reaction known as a condensation reaction When monomers are added to a polymer a water molecule is released

Large Carbon Molecules Living organisms also have to break down polymers The process of breaking down polymers into smaller pieces is known as hydrolysis Water is used to break down the polymer Hydrolysis is the reverse of a condensation reaction

Energy Currency Life processes require a constant supply of energy The energy required for these processes comes in the form of compounds that store large amounts of energy in their structure One such compound is adenosine triphosphate, also known as ATP

Energy Currency Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) 5 carbon sugar Nitrogen compound (adenine) Phosphate groups

Energy Currency ATP stores a lot of energy Energy is released when the phosphate groups break their covalent bonds Hydrolysis of ATP is used by the cell to provide the energy needed to power the chemical reactions needed by organisms to function

Hydrolysis of ATP