Why study Carbon? All of life is built on carbon Cells ~72% H2O ~25% carbon compounds carbohydrates lipids proteins nucleic acids ~3% salts Na, Cl, K… Why do we study carbon -- is it the most abundant element in living organisms? H & O most abundant C is the next most abundant 1

Chemistry of Life Organic chemistry is the study of carbon compounds H Carbon chemistry = organic chemistry Why is it a foundational atom? What makes it so important? Can’t be a good building block if you only form 1 or 2 bonds. H C H H H 2

Hydrocarbons methane (simplest HC) 5

Hydrocarbons can grow 6

Isomers 6 carbons 6 carbons 6 carbons Same formula but different structurally & therefore different functionally. Molecular shape determines biological properties. Ex. Isomers may be ineffective as medicines 6 carbons 6 carbons 8

Form affects function stereoisomers 9

Form affects function Thalidomide 10

Structural Isomers

Functional groups determine biological molecule fxn. 4.3

Diversity of molecules ethane (C2H6) ethanol (C2H5OH) 14

Functional groups 15

Hydroxyl Group – Help dissolve molecules such as sugars

Carboxyl Group – Source of H+ ions

Carbonyl Group

Amino Group

Sulfhydryl Group (AKA Thiol group)

Phosphate Group

Phosphate Groups of ATP,

DNA, and

Phospholipids.

Methyl Group