and the Molecular Diversity of Life Carbon and the Molecular Diversity of Life

Carbon Chemistry Carbon is the Backbone of Biological Molecules (macromolecules) All living organisms Are made up of chemicals based mostly on the element carbon

Why is Carbon Special? Carbon has four valence electrons and may form single, double, triple, or quadruple bonds Carbon atoms can form diverse molecules by bonding to four other atoms (tetravalence) Carbon compounds range from simple molecules to complex ones chains, rings, branched

Organic Chemistry Organic chemistry is the study of carbon compounds

(b) Mammalian adipose cells Hydrocarbons Hydrocarbons are molecules consisting of only carbon and hydrogen Hydrocarbons are found in many of a cell’s organic molecules (a) A fat molecule (b) Mammalian adipose cells 100 µm Fat droplets (stained red) Figure 4.6 A, B