1. Functional Groups and Macromolecules
Biochemistry
Functional Groups
and
Macromolecules

2. Carbon—The Backbone of Biological Molecules
All living organisms
Are made up of chemicals based mostly on carbon due to its bonding ability
All life considered “carbon based life-forms”

3. Biochemistry
Part 1
Functional Groups

4. Vocab to know… Organic chemistry
the study of carbon compounds
Organic compounds have carbon in them (& usually H)
Exception: CO2 is considered INORGANIC
Range from simple to big molecules

5. Formation of Bonds w/ Carbon
Carbon atoms
forms diverse molecules
b/c carbon has 4 valence electrons bind to to 4 other atoms
can form 4 covalent bonds with itself or other atoms  very important in living things!
Carbon has bonding versatility
allows it to form many diverse molecules, including carbon skeletons (carbon “chains”)

7. The electron configuration of carbon
Gives it covalent compatibility with many different elements H O N C
Hydrogen
(valence = 1)
Oxygen
(valence = 2)
Nitrogen
(valence = 3)
Carbon
(valence = 4)
Figure 4.4

8. Molecular Diversity Arising from Carbon Skeleton Variation
Carbon chains
Form skeletons of most organic molecules
Vary in length and shape
Straight
Branched
Rings

9. Fat droplets (stained red)
Hydrocarbons
Consists of only C and H’s
Ex: petroleum; lipid ‘tails’
A.k.a= fatty acids
Found in many of cell’s organic molecules
Ex: fat molecules, cell membranse
Covalent bonding btw C-H nonpolar (hydrophoic)
High energy storage
100 µm
Fat droplets (stained red)
Figure 4.6 A, B

10. ISOMERS
Isomers
same molecular formula, but different structure & properties
Have same # of atoms arranged differently
3 types of isomers
structural~ differ in covalent bonding arrangement
geometric~ differ in spatial arrangement
Arise from inflexibility of double C bond
cis (same side) vs. trans (opposite sides)
enantiomers~ mirror images of each other
Ex: used in pharmacological industry

11. 1 usually active; other inactive
Example of Isomers
Straight vs. branched
Cis vs. trans
1 usually active; other inactive
Asymmetrical Carbon

12. Enantiomers Are important in the pharmaceutical industry L-Dopa D-Dopa
(effective against Parkinson’s disease)
D-Dopa
(biologically inactive)
Figure 4.8

13. Functional Groups 7 different groups in biology
part of organic molecules
involved in chemical rxns
chemically reactive groups
Each group behaves in a consistent fashion no matter where it is
# & arrangement of groups helps give molecules unique, distinctive chemical properties

14. Hydroxyl Group (-OH) H bonded to O Make alcohols & sugars
Functional Groups
Hydroxyl Group
(-OH)
H bonded to O
Make alcohols & sugars
Makes things Polar
soluble in water (attracts H20)
hydrophilic

15. Functional Groups 2. Carbonyl Group (C=O) C double bond to O
usually increase polarity and reactivity of organic molecules
Aldehyde (at the end of C skeleton)
Ketone (INSIDE Carbon skeleton)
All sugars have this group

16. Aldehyde
**Think: all the way at the end!
Ketone

17. Functional Groups cont’d
3. Carboxyl Group (-COOH)
O double bonded to C to hydroxyl
Carboxylic acids (organic acids)
Covalent bond between O and H
Polar
Dissociation  H+ source (Makes acids)
**Think: Carboxyl has a hydroxyl!

18. Functional Groups cont’d
4. Amino Group (-NH2)
N to 2 H atoms
Acts as a base (+1)
Also makes AMINO ACIDS Have both amino and carboxyl groups

19. Functional Groups cont’d
5. Sulfhydral Group (-SH)
sulfur bonded to H
Makes disulfide bridges
2 sulfhydral groups can interact to stabilize protein structure

20. Functional Groups cont’d
6. Phosphate Group (-PO4-3)
Covalently attached by 1 of its O to the C skeleton
Can transfer energy btw molecules
Ex: ATP
Important in biology
Ex: DNA/RNA, cell membranes

21. Functional Groups cont’d
7. Methyl Group
(-CH3)
Usually not as reactive as other groups
Used in gene expression

22. Male or Female!!
Only one little itty bitty difference that separates the sexes