1. Building Blocks of Life
Chemistry of Carbon
Building Blocks of Life

2. Why do we study carbon? ~72% H2O ~25% carbon compounds ~3% salts
All of life is built on carbon
Cells…
~72% H2O
~25% carbon compounds
carbohydrates
lipids
proteins
nucleic acids
~3% salts
Na, Cl, K…
What is the main source of
carbon?
CO2

3. 1. Bond formation and Shapes
Carbon can form 4 covalent bonds -Single, double and triple Most Carbon based molecules form: Tetrahedral and flat shapes

4. Molecular Formula Structural Formula Ball-and-Stick Model
Figure 3.2
Molecular
Formula
Structural
Formula
Ball-and-Stick
Model
Space-Filling
Model
Name
Methane
Ethane
Figure 3.2 The shapes of three simple organic molecules
Ethene
(ethylene) 4

5. 2. Hydrocarbon Skeletons
Combinations of C & H
non-polar
not soluble in H2O
hydrophobic
stable
very little attraction between molecules
methane (simplest HC)

6. (c) Double bond position
Figure 3.4
(a) Length
(c) Double bond position
Ethane
Propane
1-Butene
2-Butene
(b) Branching
(d) Presence of rings
Figure 3.4 Four ways that carbon skeletons can vary
Butane
2-Methylpropane
(isobutane)
Cyclohexane
Benzene 6

7. Numbered carbons C 6' C O 5' C C 4' 1' C C 3' 2'

8. Form affects function
*Structural differences create important functional significance
Thalidomide
prescribed to pregnant women in 50s & 60s
reduced morning sickness, but…
stereoisomer caused severe birth defects

9. 3. Chemical Groups
Number and arrangement of groups give a molecule unique properties and affect chemical reactivity

10. Small Changes=Big difference!
Basic structure of male & female hormones is identical
identical carbon skeleton
attachment of different functional groups
interact with different targets in the body
different effects
For example the male and female hormones, testosterone and estradiol, differ from each other only by the attachment of different functional groups to an identical carbon skeleton.

11. 4. Macromolecules
Smaller carbon based molecules join together to form larger molecules
macromolecules
4 major classes of macromolecules:
carbohydrates
lipids
proteins
nucleic acids

12. Monomers
A single unit

13. A chain of covalently bonded monomers
polymers
A chain of covalently bonded monomers

14. Reactants PRODUCTS Ch4 + 2o2 Co2 + 2h20
Chemical Reactions
Reactants PRODUCTS Ch4 + 2o2 Co2 + 2h20

15. Dehydration Synthesis
Chemical reaction that covalently bonds two monomers together *Water is lost in the process
H2O

16. Hydrolysis
Chemical reaction that breaks the bonds between two monomers by adding water
H2O