Organic Compounds

Table of Contents Pages TEK 7.6A Title: Organic Compounds Date: 11/5/15

Did you know… All living things are made up of just a few elements. Your digestive system uses specific elements for energy to help your body survive (live).

Directions: Copy the picture to the left onto your foldable. Be sure to label each colored section and write the amount (percent of each element).

So what are organic compounds? Definition: –Organic compounds are found in all living things. Your digestive system breaks down these special compounds to give your body the energy and nutrients it needs to survive. –All organic compounds have Carbon (C) chemically joined with Hydrogen (H) and a few other specific elements. BUT NOT all carbon compounds are organic…

Organic compounds are made out of these elements: C – Carbon H – Hydrogen O – Oxygen N – Nitrogen P – Phosphorous S - Sulfur

EXAMPLE Glucose (sugar) C 6 H 12 O 6 (6 carbon atoms, 12 hydrogen atoms, 6 oxygen atoms chemically joined together) Because carbon AND hydrogen are both elements that make up organic compounds.

NOT an example: Carbon Dioxide CO 2 (1 carbon atom, 2 oxygen atoms) Because even though they are both elements found in organic compounds the carbon is not chemically combined with hydrogen.

HINT: You can recognize an organic compound because the chemical formula will have carbon and hydrogen BOTH. Carbon without hydrogen is NOT organic… Wanna know what your body uses these different elements for? Click on the next slide!

Oxygen Oxygen is necessary for respiration. You will find this element in the lungs, since about 20% of the air you breathe is oxygen.

Carbon Carbon is found in every organic molecule in the body. Carbon is ingested in food that is eaten and breathed in as a component of air. It is found in the lungs as a waste product of respiration, carbon dioxide. All life is carbon-based.

Hydrogen Hydrogen is a component of the water molecules in the body, as well as most other compounds. Stars are also made Out of hydrogen. YOU ARE made of the SAME stuff as the Stars in the sky!

Nitrogen Nitrogen is a component of proteins, nucleic acids, and other organic compounds. Nitrogen gas is found in the lungs, since most of the air you breathe consists of this element.

Phosphorus Phosphorus is found in the nucleus of every cell. Phosphorus is part of nucleic acids, energy compounds, and phosphate buffers. The element is incorporated into the bones, combines with other elements including iron, potassium, sodium, magnesium and calcium.

Sulfur Sulfur is a component of many amino acids and proteins.

Homework (only if you don’t finish this in class) Get the worksheet from Ms. Red You will identify each compound (chemical formula) as either an organic compound or as an inorganic compound based on the elements that are chemically combined. USE YOUR NOTES!!