Organic/Bio Chemistry

Our Bodies Are Carbon Based Organic chemistry is the chemistry of carbon Not all carbon containing compounds are organic Over half of all known compounds contain carbon Carbon has 4 valence electrons Tends to form tetrahedrons in bonds Small atom with an atomic number of 6 and the most common isotope having a mass number of 12 Carbon atoms can bond with other carbon atoms to form many allotropes.

…continued The main molecular “building blocks” of our bodies and all other known life forms are carbon based Carbon atoms form the “back bone” of most bio molecules while other elements bond with these backbones. Very often these other elements bond in the form of functional groups.

Basic Organic Compounds (hydrocarbons)

Alkenes

Alkynes

Carbon can easily form rings

Functional Groups Functional groups have specific arrangements of atoms These arrangements have common characteristics Example: Alcohols

Major Functional Groups

Definitely not limited to one functional group!

Bio molecules tend to show up in a chain form Micro molecules -sort of like links in a chain in many cases -also referred to as monmers -they join together in chains or other arrangements

…continued Micro molecules or monomers join together in chains or some other form to form macromolecules or polymers (if in chain form) These chains can be as small as 2 units or can be thousands, even millions (think about DNA) Occur in organisms and in industry

Carbohydrates Simple sugars

Disaccarides

Complex Carbohydrates

These are both examples of dehydration reactions A water molecule is released when the covalent carbon to oxygen bonds are formed at the hydroxyl groups. Hydrolysis occurs when the bonds are broken; the water molecules that were removed are replaced Carbohydrates have around 4 Calories per gram of energy available to organisms. The general rule for the elemental composition of carbohydrates is 1:2:1, 1 carbon for every 2 hydrogen for every 1 oxygen Carbohydrates are generally quite water soluble. Cellulose, which is a complex carbohydrate, is the most abundant organic substance on the surface of the earth.

Triglycerides are the most common lipid in the human body.

Saturated Fats Saturated fats have the maximum number of hydrogen atoms that can bond with the carbons in the chain of the fatty acid (no double bonds). They are generally solid @ room temperature. They are generally what doctors tell you to limit your intake of Lower density than unsaturated fats Hydrogenated oils are oils that were unsaturated that were made to be saturated: double bonds broken and hydrogen atoms added. Hydrogenated and partially hydrated oils are common in margarine and processed foods.

Unsaturated Fats 1 double bond indicates monounsaturated. 2 or more indicates polyunsaturated. Polyunsaturated oils are considered to be the best for one’s health. Liquid @ room temperature.

Sterols

Lipids are generally not water soluble (this is a very good thing). The elemental composition of lipids is 1:2:<1, meaning there is a general 1:2 ratio of carbon to hydrogen, respectfully, to much less than 1 oxygen. There are about 9 Calories per gram of energy available to organisms.