Introduction to Biochemistry 2 Biology, Ch. 2-3, pgs. 44 - 48 “Carbon Compounds”

Carbon Chemistry Organic compounds are those that contain carbon atoms bonded to other carbons as well as Hydrogen, Oxygen, and Nitrogen. Thus, the basic elements for life are C, H, N, and O.

Atom Bonding An element can form as many bonds as it has electrons to give or receive. For example: Element Outer Electrons Bonds Formed Hydrogen 1 Oxygen 6 2 Nitrogen 5 3 Carbon 4

Atom Bonding Consider the compound Methane. Its chemical formula is CH4. Its structural formula looks something like this… H H -- C -- H *Notice that there are 4 bonds surrounding Carbon!

Carbon Bonding Like the methane molecule above shows, carbon forms 4 covalent bonds with other elements including itself. In bonding with itself, carbon can form: Chain Compounds Branched Compounds Ring Compounds

Carbon Bonding

Carbon Bonding In bonding with itself, carbon can also form: Single Bonds C C Double Bonds Triple Bonds

Carbon Bonding Double Bonds Triple Bonds

Functional Groups Special groups of atoms called functional groups can give carbon compounds specialized properties when they bond to a carbon molecule. We know OH- as the Hydroxide Ion OH is also called a Hydroxyl Group when it bonds to a carbon molecule A carbon compound containing a hydroxyl group is an alcohol Addition of an OH group creates a polar molecule (alcohols are polar) Alcohols can form hydrogen bonds like water does

Large Carbon Molecules Carbon molecules can build into larger molecules. Monomer – a single molecule Polymer – 2 or more monomers bonded together Macromolecule – several monomers and/or polymers bonded together

Condensation Reactions Monomers form polymers through condensation reactions. To condense, two bonding molecules essentially lose water One molecule loses an OH- group The other molecule loses an H+ H+ + OH-  H2O (a product of the reaction)

Hydrolysis Polymers can break down into monomers through hydrolysis reactions. By adding water to some complex molecules, the molecule can be broken Hydrolysis reactions break covalent bonds When bonds break, energy is released Hydrolysis is usually exergonic

Condensation & Hydrolysis Condensation & Hydrolysis the Internet Movie

Why Know Hydrolysis? Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) releases energy through hydrolysis Water can disturb the bond on the third phosphate bonded to adenosine When that bond is disturbed, it breaks More energy is released by the broken bond than it took to break it The cell uses the released energy to power its reactions

Why Know Hydrolysis? ATP is the molecule from which cells get their energy.

Hydrolysis of ATP