Carbon Compounds Chapter 4, Section 4 pp. 129 - 136

Carbon Compounds Most carbon compounds are considered organic compounds. Organic compounds are covalent compounds containing CARBON, and usually hydrogen Why Carbon? Carbon atoms contain 4 valence electrons Carbon can form 4 covalent bonds with other atoms, so it can form very large molecules

Large carbon compounds Single carbon compounds are called monomers Single carbon compounds tend to attach to each other to form larger molecules called polymers So: monomer + monomer = polymer

Large Carbon Compounds with Analogy (in this analogy assume that the ATOMS are similar to LETTERS) Monomers are simple carbon molecules “mono” = one (Ex. one word) Polymers are molecules made of many monomers (monomer + monomer = polymer) “poly” = many (Ex. a sentence) Macromolecules are made of many polymers (polymer + polymer = macromolecule) “macro” = large (Ex. a paragraph)

How do Monomers link to form Polymers??? Dehydration Synthesis Reactions (also called condensation reactions) Dehydration = to lose water Synthesis = to put together chemical reaction in which two monomers are linked together and a molecule of water is lost one monomer donates a OH the other monomer donates a hydrogen (H) forming water (H2O)

How do polymers break down into monomers??? Hydrolysis reactions Hydro – water Lysis – to break apart The bond between two monomers is broken & a molecule of water breaks down One monomer receives an (OH) and the other receives an (H) This is the reverse of a dehydration synthesis reaction.

Hydrolysis

Organic Compounds There are 4 main classes of organic compounds which are essential to the life processes of all living things. Proteins Lipids Carbohydrates Nucleic Acids

I. Proteins Elements: C, H, O, N Function: Used to build body structures – muscles, hair, skin, etc. Most enzymes are proteins as well Structure: Monomer = Amino Acids (20 kinds) Polymer = Polypeptide or protein

Polypeptides Proteins are made of chains of amino acids linked together Dipeptides – 2 Amino Acids Polypeptides- many Amino Acids Enzymes = polypeptides Stop here to complete the protein section of the molecular modeling activity.

II. Lipids (Fats) Elements: C, H (in high ratio) & O Function: Used to store excess energy, also an important part in cell membranes and waterproof coverings Structure: Monomer = 1 glycerol + fatty acids Polymers = complex lipids NOT water soluble (do NOT dissolve in water) Ex. Fats, oils, waxes

Complex Lipids 1 fatty acid + a glycerol molecule = a wax 2 fatty acids + a glycerol molecule =phospholipid (which makes up the cell membrane) 3 fatty acids + 1 glycerol molecule = a triglyceride

III. Carbohydrates Elements: C, H, O in 1:2:1 ratio (double hydrogen) Function: Main fuel provider and energy source of living things, used for structures in cells Structure: (ring formation common) Monosaccharides –monomer of carbs like sugars Polysaccharides- polymer of carbs

Polysaccharides Polymer made of 3 or more monosaccharides Stop to complete carbohydrate section of molecular modeling activity.

IV. Nucleic Acids Elements : C, H, O, N, P Function: Store important information for the cell Structure: Monomer = Nucleotide Polymer = DNA and RNA Ex. DNA  cellular information RNA  stores/transfers information to make proteins