Biological Chemistry -- Organic: anything with carbon vs. -- Inorganic: anything NOT containing carbon

Macromolecules Large organic molecules Basic Structure

Macromolecules Carbohydrates Lipids Proteins Nucleic Acids

Functional Groups Clusters of atoms that give a molecule specific chemical properties

Hydroxyl -OH Form alcohols Polar Forms H bonds

Carbonyl >CO Form aldehydes (R, H) & ketones (R, R) Polar

Carboxyl -COOH Form carboxylic acids Polar Acidic Releases H+ in solution

Amino -NH2 Form amines Polar Basic

Sulfhydral -SH Can interact with another molecule to stabilize protein structure

Phosphate -OPO32- a.k.a. inorganic phosphate Polar Acidic Can transfer energy between organic molecules

Methyl -CH3 Nonpolar Lowers water- solubility