1. Carbon and Molecular Diversity

2. Organic Molecules What is an organic molecule?
Molecule that contains carbon
What are the major elements of life?
C, H, N, O, P, and S

3. The Carbon Atom What makes the carbon atom so important to life?
The electron configuration of carbon makes it tetravalent.
The carbon atom has 4 valence electrons!
This explains how carbon makes large complex molecules possible.

4. Carbon’s Compatibility
Carbon frequently combines with O, H, and N.
Learn the valence numbers for all 4 of these atoms!

5. Variations in Carbon Skeletons
How can variations in carbon skeletons effect the structure and function of organic molecules?
Change the length of the carbon skeleton.
Alter the number and location of double bonds.
Change the elements with which carbon bonds.

6. Hydrocarbons What is a hydrocarbon chain? It is a long C-H chain
What type of bond is the C-H bond?
Non-polar covalent
Examples of hydrocarbons:
fossil fuel component
framework for large organic macromolecules of life

7. Isomers What is an isomer?
Molecules that have the same molecular formula but different structures.

8. Functional Groups Have specific chemical and physical properties
Are regions of organic molecules
Behave consistently from one organic molecule to another
Effect the structure and function of organic molecules to which they belong.

9. A. Hydroxyl Group What does it look like? C-OH Alcohols
Polar and water soluble

10. B. Carbonyl Group What does it look like? C=O
At the end of a molecule - called aldehyde
Within a molecule - called ketone
Polar and water soluble
Found in all sugars

12. Carboxyl Group
What does this group look like? How did it get its name?
COOH - This group consists of a carbon atom that is bonded to both a carbonyl and a hydroxyl group.
Why is this group acidic?
It donates H+
Compounds with this group are called carboxylic acids

14. D. Amino Group What does this group look like? Either C-NH2 or C-NH3
Called amines
What causes this group to be considered a weak base?
The C-NH2 tends to gain H+, removing them from the solution.

16. E. Sulfhydryl Group What does this group look like? C-SH
What is a function of this group?
Helps stabilize protein structure through disulfide bridges.

17. F. The Phosphate Group What does this group look like? PO42-
What are some characteristics of this group?
Acidic, looses H+.
Polar, water soluble
Unstable!, Therefore important for energy transfer and storage.