1. Carbon and its Molecular Diversity
(Chapter 4)
“Carbon is unparalleled in its ability to form organic molecules...”
The huge variety of organic molecules explains why there is so much diversity among organisms.

2. Organic molecules contain C
Examples: CH4
C6H12O6
H1138C526O297N164S18
Inorganic molecules do not contain C
Examples NH3,
CO2
H20
Exception to rule: CO2 is considered to be inorganic

3. Carbon Dioxide is Inorganic?

4. The source of carbon for all organic molecules is Carbon Dioxide
Plants combine CO2 from the air and combine it with H20 to make simple organic molecules during photosynthesis.
Animals then eat plants to obtain carbon

5. I) Carbon is able to form 4 covalent bonds
What makes carbon so special that it is the element that forms so may diverse organic molecules?
I) Carbon is able to form 4 covalent bonds
a) Covalent bonds can be single covalent or double covalent

6. 2) Carbon can bond with other carbon atoms to form carbon skeletons
Can vary in length
Can be straight or branched
Can have double bonds which vary in location
Can be arranged into rings

7. Hydrocarbons: only contain carbon and hydrogen atoms
3) Hydrogen atoms can attach to carbon skeletons to form hydrocarbons.
Hydrocarbons: only contain carbon and hydrogen atoms
- are non-polar molecules …have no charge
are hydrophobic
release lots of energy when undergoing chemical reactions
Example: fossil fuels, fats

8. 4) Functional groups can attach to hydrocarbon skeletons
Configuration of atoms that
- are involved in chemical reactions
- give the molecule a unique function
- can make the molecule hydrophilic

9. Functional groups for you to know
- OH hydroxyl group
COOH acid group or carboxyl
NH2 amino group
PO4 phosphate group

10. Synthesis and Breakdown of Polymers

11. Macromolecules are polymers, built out of monomers
Polymer – long molecule composed of many similar building blocks linked by covalent bonds
Monomer – small molecule that serves as a building block

12. Polymers are produced by dehydration synthesis reactions
- Water is removed
- “Dehydrate as compounds are synthesized”

13. Polymers breakdown into monomers by hydrolysis reactions
- Hydrolysis reactions add water
- “using water” to “break” bonds