I had rather attempt something great and fail, than to attempt nothing at all and succeed! -Robert Schuller

Carbon and the Molecular Diversity of Life Chpt. 4 Carbon and the Molecular Diversity of Life

Water is the Universal Medium for life… &

CARBON is the universal element of life … C

…how does carbon “get” into living organisms??

How did organic molecules arise?

Can organic molecules form under conditions estimated to stimulate those on the early Earth? /watch?v=9JaYWEsT7fU sea flask atmosphere flask “lightening”

ORGANIC CHEMISTRY

ORGANIC CHEMISTRY… Key to the chemical shape & affinity with other atoms, is in the configuration of the electrons

Carbon:  Proteins, DNA, Carbohydrates (molecules of life) carbon based all carbon based…

Carbon:  Proteins, DNA, Carbohydrates all carbon based, molecules of Life.  Has tetra valence

Carbon Backbone: BTW: this allows for large, complex molecules

Importants of Carbon:  Uses one or more of it valence electrons to form covalent bonds w/ other atoms (C,H,O,N,)  This allows atoms to link to infinite variety of chains. aka… TONS OF SHAPES!!

Importants of Carbon:

…how does carbon “get” into living organisms??

Carbon Chains: … Form the “ skeletons ” of most organic compounds

Variations in c-skeletons contribute to the diversity of organic molecules:

Isomers same molecular formula, different structure (different function) C 4 H 10

Isomers also contribute to the diversity of organic molecules -

Isomers  Structural-  Cis-Trans-  Enantiomers-

Isomers  Structural-

Isomers  Cis-Trans- Cis-Trans Double bonds do not permit free rotation of atoms. Cis- both “X’s” on the same side Trans – “X’s” on the opposite side

Isomers  Enantiomers-

Isomers Cis-Trans

ISOMER QUICK QUIZ: CIS-TRANS

STRUCTURAL

ENANTIOMERS

Functional Groups: they bond to the c-skeleton

Can you find the “CARBON SKELETONS”?

What is a characteristic that these hydrocarbons hold in common? HINT: polarity?

IMPORTANCE OF FUNCTIONAL GROUPS

Importance of Functional Groups KIM KARDASHIAN

estradiol testosterone

Functional Groups  Hydroxyl-  Carbonyl-  Carboxyl-  Amino-  Sulfydryl-  Phosphate-  Methyl-

Functional Groups  Hydroxyl  Hydroxyl- makes molecule polar (dissolves in H 2 O) - produces alcohol -OH

Functional Groups  Carbonyl-  Carbonyl- produces ketones (made when body breaks down fats for energy) & C-C-C || O -C // / O H aldehydes (essential oils in plants) Confers polarity

Functional Groups  Carboxyl-  Carboxyl- forms organic acids b/c H + is commonly dissociated -C // / O OH

Functional Groups  Amino-  Amino- base usually acts as a buffer -N / / H H -H +

Functional Groups  Sulfhydral-  Sulfhydral- stabilizes protein structures, & commonly found in vitamins -SH

Functional Groups  Phosphate-  Phosphate- energy storage / energy transfer

Functional Groups  Methyl-  Methyl- affects shape & function, also, affects gene expression -C H H -H / / /

Summary Be able to recognize isomers. Know the six functional groups and what properties they give to molecules.