Carbon Compounds Key Concept: What are the functions of each group of organic compounds?

The Chemistry of Carbon Remember the energy shells Carbon has a full first energy shell (2 electrons) and a second energy shell with only 4 electrons (this shell “wants” 8 total electrons), so carbon has 4 VALENCE electrons.

Carbon cont…

Carbon cont… This is the reason that carbon can form strong covalent bonds with many other atoms (including H, Ph, O, S, and N) Most importantly carbon can form chains with other carbon atoms

Macromolecules “giant molecules” Formed by a process called polymerization, where small units called monomers are joined together to form polymers

Four groups of organic compounds Carbohydrates Lipids Nucleic acids proteins

Make a table like this one in your notes (make it somewhat large) Name of polymer Made up of monomers of Examples Functions

Table: Polymer: Carbohydrates Monomers: C, H, O in a 1:2:1 ratio, many monosaccharides join to make polysaccharides Examples: Glucose (C6H12O6) Functions: Broken down for immediate energy, or stored as starches for later use. This is the “fuel” for life.

Carbohydrates (Sugars)

Table: Polymer: Lipids (fats) Monomers: C and H atoms, fatty acids and glycerol Examples: fats, oils Functions: storage of energy, waterproof membranes

Table: Polymer: Nucleic Acids Monomers: Nucleotides (5 carbon sugar, nitrogen base, phosphate) Examples: DNA, RNA Functions: Carry genetic information, method of inheritance, blueprint for life

Table: Polymer: Proteins Monomers: N, C, H, and O, Amino acids Examples: prions, hormones, many others Functions: control the rates of reactions, regulate cellular processes, form bones and muscle, transport materials, help fight disease, and many other things How important are proteins? Let’s do some research and find out what happens when proteins are formed incorrectly!

Creative writing assignment! We require a steady input of compounds in order to supply our bodies with the building blocks of the macromolecules we just covered. This is why we need food. Imagine you are lost in the wilderness, explain where you are, how you got there and what you are doing to survive. Would you do something like THIS to stay alive?