Chapter 2 Section 3 Carbon Compounds

The Chemistry of Carbon… What makes Carbon so important? 1.Carbon atoms have 4 valence electrons. A.Each electron can form a strong covalent bond with electrons from other atoms. B.Carbon can bond with many atoms… a.H, O, P, S, N 2.Carbon can bond to other carbon atoms. A.May be single, double, or triple bonds. B.Carbon has the ability to form millions of different large and complex structures.

Macromolecules… Macromolecules also means “giant molecules.” – They are formed through a process known as polymerization, where smaller compounds join to form large ones. The small units are known as monomers. The large units monomers form are called polymers.

Macromolecules… There are four groups of organic compounds that are found in living things they are: 1.Carbohydrates. 2.Lipids. 3.Nucleic Acids. 4.Proteins.

Carbs… Carbohydrates are compounds made up of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen atoms. – They are usually in a ration of 1:2:1. 1 Carbon, 2 Hydrogen, 1 Oxygen – Living things use carbs as their main source of energy. Starches and sugars are examples of carbs used for energy. – Plants and animals also use carbs for structural purposes.

Carbs cont’d.… Monosaccharides are single sugar molecules. – Glucose- plant sugar – Galactose- milk sugar – Fructose- Fruit sugar Polysaccharides are the large macromolecules formed from monosaccharides. – Glycogen- animal starch – Cellulose- Plant starch

Lipids… Lipids are macromolecules made mainly form carbon and hydrogen atoms. – Fats – Oils – Waxes – Steroids They are generally used to store energy.

Lipids cont’d… Lipids are formed when a glycerol molecule combines with compounds called fatty acids. – When the fatty acid contains all C-C single bonds the term saturated is used to describe the fatty acid. Saturated refers to the fatty acid containing the maximum amount of possible hydrogen atoms. – When the fatty acids contains at least one C-C double bond in its chain it is considered unsaturated. Unsaturated refers to the fact that the fatty acid no longer contains the maximum number of hydrogen bonds. Polyunsaturated is used to describe a fatty acid with more than one C-C double bond.

Nucleic Acids… Nucleic Acids are macromolecules containing Hydrogen, Oxygen, Nitrogen, Carbon, and Phosphorus. – Nucleic acids are formed from individual monomers called nucleotides. Nucleotides consist of three parts: 1.A 5-carbon sugar 2.A phosphate group 3.A nitrogenous base

Nucleic Acids cont’d… Nucleotides can be joined by covalent bonds to form a polynucleotide, or Nucleic Acid. – Nucleic Acids store and transmit hereditary, or genetic information. 2 Nucleic Acids: – Ribonucleic Acids (RNA) – Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA)

Proteins… Proteins are macromolecules that contain nitrogen as well as carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. – Proteins are polymers of molecules called Amino Acids. Amino Acids are compounds with an amino group (NH2) on one end and a carboxyl goup (-COOH) on the other end. There are more than 20 Amino Acids found in Nature.

Proteins cont’d… Some Proteins control the rate or reactions and regulate cell processes. Some are used to form bones and muscles. Others transport substances into or out of cells to help to fight disease.

Proteins cont’d… Proteins can have up to four levels of organization… 1.Sequence of amino acids in a protein chain. 2.Amino Acids in the chain can be folded or twisted. 3.The chain itself is folded.