1. Why study Carbon? All of life is built on carbon Cells ~72% H2O
~25% carbon compounds
carbohydrates
lipids
proteins
nucleic acids
~3% salts
Na, Cl, K…
Why do we study carbon -- is it the most abundant element in living organisms?
H & O most abundant
C is the next most abundant 1

2. Chemistry of Life Organic chemistry is the study of carbon compounds H
Carbon chemistry = organic chemistry
Why is it a foundational atom?
What makes it so important?
Can’t be a good building block if you only form 1 or 2 bonds. H C H H H 2

5. Hydrocarbons
methane (simplest HC) 5

6. Hydrocarbons can grow 6

8. Isomers 6 carbons 6 carbons 6 carbons
Same formula but different structurally & therefore different functionally. Molecular shape determines biological properties.
Ex. Isomers may be ineffective as medicines
6 carbons
6 carbons 8

9. Form affects function
stereoisomers 9

10. Form affects function
Thalidomide 10

11. Structural Isomers

13. Functional groups determine biological molecule fxn.
4.3

14. Diversity of molecules
ethane (C2H6)
ethanol (C2H5OH) 14

15. Functional groups 15

17. Hydroxyl Group – Help dissolve molecules such as sugars

19. Carboxyl Group – Source of H+ ions

21. Carbonyl Group

23. Amino Group

26. Sulfhydryl Group (AKA Thiol group)

30. Phosphate Group

32. Phosphate Groups of ATP,

33. DNA, and

34. Phospholipids.

35. Methyl Group