Section 2.3 Carbon Compounds

Organic Chemistry Organic Chemistry- Study of all compounds that contain bonds between carbon atoms

I. Chemistry of Carbon Characteristics of Carbon: 1. Carbon atoms have 4 valence electrons 2. Each electron can join with an electron from another atom to form a strong covalent bond 3. Carbon can bond with many elements such as Hydrogen Oxygen Phosphorus Sulfur Nitrogen SPONCH

Characteristics of Carbon 4. Carbon atoms can bond to other carbon atoms forming chains that are almost unlimited in length (macromolecules) 5. Carbon-carbon bonds can be Single (C-C) Double (C=C) Triple (C C)

Characteristics of Carbon Chains of carbon can even form rings No other element has the versatility as carbon!

Macromolecules Macromolecules- large molecules made from 1000s or 100s of 1000s smaller molecules Made by a process of polymerization Made of smaller units called monomers joined together to form polymers (the monomers can be identical or different!)

Organic compounds or biomolecules are classified into 4 groups: Carbohydrates Lipids Nucleic Acids Proteins

1. Carbohydrates Living things use carbohydrates as their main source of energy and structural purposes The breakdown of sugars, such as glucose (C6H12O6) supplies immediate energy for all cell activity

1. Carbohydrates Extra sugar is stored as complex carbohydrates known as starches Monosaccharide- single sugar molecules such as glucose, galactose (milk), and fructose (fruits) Disaccharide- two monosaccharides linked together

Polysaccharide- many monosaccharides joined together Ex. Glycogen- animal starch released from your liver when glucose in blood runs low Cellulose- plant starch which is tough and flexible. Major component of wood and paper

2. Lipids Lipids- fats, oils, and waxes Compounds made mostly from carbon and hydrogen NOT soluble in water! Used to store energy

2. Lipids Serves an important role in biological membranes and waterproof coverings Many lipids are formed when a glycerol molecule combines with compounds called fatty acids

2. Lipids Saturated- carbon atom in a lipids fatty acid chain is joined to another carbon atom by a single bond (maximum number of hydrogens!) Unsaturated- at least one carbon-carbon double bond in a fatty acid (ex. Olive oil) Polyunsaturated- fatty acids contain more than one double bond (ex. Cooking oils such as corn, sesame, canola and peanut oils)

3. Nucleic Acids Nucleic Acids- Macromolecules that contain hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, carbon and phosphorus Nucleotide- individual monomer consisting of a 5-carbon sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base (A, T, C, or G)

3. Nucleic Acids Individual nucleotides can be joined by covalent bonds to form a nucleic acid Nucleic acids store and transmit heredity or genetic information DNA- deoxyribonucleic acid (sugar=deoxyribose) RNA- ribonucleic acid (sugar = ribose)

4. Proteins Macromolecules that contain nitrogen, carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen Monomers are called amino acids Amino acids are compounds with an amino group (-NH2) on one end and a carboxyl group (-COOH) on the other end

4. Proteins There are more than 20 different amino acids found in nature Amino acids are joined by covalent bonds The instructions for arranging amino acids into many different proteins are stored in DNA

4. Proteins 1. Proteins have a specific role Control rate of reactions (enzymes) Regulate cell processes (hormones) Transport substances into or out of cells Help fight disease (antibodies) Form bones and muscles

4. Proteins 2. Proteins may have up to 4 levels of organization 1st- sequence of amino acids in a protein chain 2nd- amino acids can be twisted or folded 3rd- chain is folded * Van der Waal’s forces and hydrogen bonds help maintain the shape of the protein

III. Enzymes Enzymes- biological catalysts that cells use to speed up chemical reactions within a cell Enzymes speed up reactions by lowering the activation energy Activation Energy- the amount of energy needed to initiate a chemical reaction Most enzymes work best at a certain pH and certain temperatures

Enzymes Enzymes play essential roles in Regulating chemical pathways Making materials that cells need Releasing energy Transferring information

Red = without enzyme Green = with enzyme