1. Carbon and the Molecular Diversity of Life
Unit 1
Chapter 4

2. Why study Carbon? All living things are made of carbon Cells 72% H2O
3% salts (Na, Cl, K…)
25% carbon compounds
carbohydrates
lipids
proteins
nucleic acids

3. Tetravalent Electron Configuration
Allows it to make large, complex molecules.
Gives covalent compatibility with hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and other carbon atoms.
Determines an organic molecule’s 3-dimensional shape

4. Hydrocarbons Molecules containing only C and H Nonpolar, hydrophobic
Can undergo reactions that release large amounts of energy
EX: methane, fatty acid tails

5. Isomers
Molecules with same molecular formula but different structures and chemical properties
Three Different types:
Structural
Cis-trans (Geometric)
Enantiomers

6. Structural Isomers Molecules differ in covalent arrangement of atoms
Same molecular formula but different covalent arrangements

7. Cis-trans (geometric)
Molecules differ in arrangement around C=C double bond
same covalent partnerships

8. Enantiomers Isomers that are mirror images of each other
Important in pharmaceutical industry
Enantiomers of Methamphetamine
One is drug, other is over the counter in nasal decongestant

9. Functional Groups Have specific chemical and physical properties
regions of molecules commonly reactive
determine the chemical properties of organic molecules

10. Hydroxyl Group -OH Polar Alcohols
Name end in -ol
Ethanol
Can form hydrogen bonds with water helping dissolve organic compounds

11. Carbonyl Group -CO carbon double-bonded to oxygen Called: polar
ketones: carbonyl group is within a carbon skeleton
Aldehydes: carbonyl group is at end of carbon skeleton
polar
found in sugars

12. Carboxyl Group -COOH
carbon is double-bonded to an oxygen and single-bonded to a hydroxyl group
Called: carboxylic acids
polar
Acts as an acids

13. Amino Group NH2
A nitrogen bonded to two hydrogens and carbon skeleton
Polar
Acts as a base
Called amines

14. Sulfhydryl Group -SH sulfur bonded to hydrogen are called thiols
Stabilizes the structure of proteins
Cross linking of cysteines in hair proteins maintains curliness or straightness.
Straight hair can be curled around curlers to break and re from the cross linking bonds

15. Phosphate Group -PO4 Phosphate bonded to 4 oxygens Polar
Have potential to react with water releasing energy
important in cellular energy storage and transfer (ATP)

16. Methyl -CH3 Carbon double bonded to 3 hydrogens
Addition of methyl groups of DNA affects expression