1. Pre-AP Biology
Carbon Properties

2. Organic Chemistry
Branch of science dealing with the element carbon and its many properties.
It is usually associated with all living organisms.
About 30% of an organism’s dry weight (called Biomass) is Carbon in organic molecules.
Helps to make the organic molecules: Carbohydrates, Lipids, Proteins, and Nucleic Acids.
The original source for Carbon in all life forms is Carbon Dioxide. (CO2 in Photosynthesis)
Inorganic refers to most compounds not containing Carbon. (CH4 (Methane gas) and CO2 or CO are
exceptions. They contain Carbon but are classified as inorganic.)

3. Carbon Cycle Higher-level consumers Primary consumers Carbon compounds
CO2 in atmosphere
Photosynthesis
Cellular
respiration
Burning of
fossil fuels
and wood
Higher-level
consumers
Primary
consumers
Carbon compounds
in water
Detritus
Decomposition

4. Carbon’s e- configuration
Carbon has versatility in four directions because of the four unpaired electrons in its outer shell.
These four unpaired electrons allow carbon to act like an intersection in the building of an organic molecule by using those to form covalent bonds with other atoms.
This allows cells to build an almost infinite number of different molecules.
Covalent bonding capabilities of Carbon
Single Bond between Carbon atoms.(shown as: C-C)
Double Bond between Carbon atoms. (shown as: C=C)
Triple Bond between Carbon atoms. (shown as: C=C)

5. Carbon Bonding and Hydrocarbons
Molecular
Formula
Structural
Formula
Methane
Ethane
Ethene (ethylene)

6. Hydrocarbons
Molecules containing mostly Carbon and Hydrogen.
Most hydrocarbons are energy sources. (Some examples are: Fossil fuels, oils, and fats)
The more Hydrogen atoms in a molecule; the more energy there is in the molecule.
Hydrocarbons are important parts of cell membranes. (The tails of phospholipids)
All hydrocarbons are extremely hydrophobic because they are nonpolar molecules. (“Afraid of” water’s polarity.)
Hydrocarbon tails See all the energy in this fat molecule?

7. Hydrocarbon Tails of a Phospholipid
Choline
Hydrophilic head
Phosphate
Glycerol
Hydrophobic tails
Fatty acids
Hydrophilic
head
Hydrophobic
tails
Structural formula
Space-filling model
Phospholipid symbol

8. Cell Membranes
Remember
These?

9. Functional Groups associated with Organic Molecules
These are the sites of most organic molecules chemical reactions or properties. (They have a function to do.)
Hydroxyls (-OH)
This group allows molecules to act as an alcohol or polar molecule.
Name usually ends with “ol”.
Carbonyls only have one double bonded oxygen. (It takes one stroke to make a lower case “n”.)
Aldehydes A is at one end of the alphabet.(Carbonyl is located on the end of the molecule.)
Ketones K is in the middle of the alphabet.(Carbonyl is located in the middle of the molecule.)
Carboxyl Has two oxygens…one double bonded and one single bonded. (It takes two strokes to make an “x”)
These molecules can act as an acid by losing a Hydrogen atom and can also possibly be polar too.

10. Functional groups serve important purposes in molecules
Estradiol
Female lion
Testosterone
Male lion

11. FUNCTIONAL PROPERTIES
LE 4-10aa
STRUCTURE
(may be written HO—)
Ethanol, the alcohol present in
alcoholic beverages
NAME OF COMPOUNDS
FUNCTIONAL PROPERTIES
Alcohols (their specific names
usually end in -ol)
Is polar as a result of the
electronegative oxygen atom
drawing electrons toward itself.
Attracts water molecules, helping
dissolve organic compounds such
as sugars (see Figure 5.3).

12. STRUCTURE EXAMPLE NAME OF COMPOUNDS LE 4-10ab
Acetone, the simplest ketone
STRUCTURE
EXAMPLE
Acetone, the simplest ketone
Propanal, an aldehyde
NAME OF COMPOUNDS
Ketones if the carbonyl group is
within a carbon skeleton
FUNCTIONAL PROPERTIES
Aldehydes if the carbonyl group is
at the end of the carbon skeleton
A ketone and an aldehyde may
be structural isomers with
different properties, as is the case
for acetone and propanal.

13. LE 4-10ac STRUCTURE EXAMPLE Acetic acid, which gives vinegar
its sour taste
NAME OF COMPOUNDS
FUNCTIONAL PROPERTIES
Carboxylic acids, or organic acids
Has acidic properties because it is
a source of hydrogen ions.
The covalent bond between
oxygen and hydrogen is so polar
that hydrogen ions (H+) tend to
dissociate reversibly; for example,
Acetic acid
Acetate ion
In cells, found in the ionic form,
which is called a carboxylate group.

14. Amine Contain Nitrogen Can act as bases by picking up free H+.
Sulfhydrls Contain Sulfur
Sulfur can make Di-Sulfide bridges for “pockets” in protein formation.
Phosphate Contain Phosphorus
These molecules are usually involved in E Transfers, such as associated with ATP. They can also act like an Anion, a negative ion.

15. LE 4-10ba STRUCTURE EXAMPLE Glycine Because it also has a carboxyl
group, glycine is both an amine and
a carboxylic acid; compounds with
both groups are called amino acids.
NAME OF COMPOUNDS
FUNCTIONAL PROPERTIES
Amine
Acts as a base; can pick up a
proton from the surrounding
solution:
(nonionized)
(ionized)
Ionized, with a charge of 1+,
under cellular conditions

16. STRUCTURE EXAMPLE NAME OF COMPOUNDS
LE 4-10bb
STRUCTURE
EXAMPLE
(may be written HS—)
Ethanethiol
NAME OF COMPOUNDS
FUNCTIONAL PROPERTIES
Thiols
Two sulfhydryl groups can
interact to help stabilize protein
structure (see Figure 5.20).

17. STRUCTURE EXAMPLE NAME OF COMPOUNDS
LE 4-10bc
STRUCTURE
EXAMPLE
Glycerol phosphate
NAME OF COMPOUNDS
FUNCTIONAL PROPERTIES
Organic phosphates
Makes the molecule of which it
is a part an anion (negatively
charged ion).
Can transfer energy between
organic molecules.