1. Introduction to Biochemistry 2
Biology, Ch. 2-3, pgs
“Carbon Compounds”

2. Carbon Chemistry
Organic compounds are those that contain carbon atoms bonded to other carbons as well as Hydrogen, Oxygen, and Nitrogen.
Thus, the basic elements for life are C, H, N, and O.

3. Atom Bonding
An element can form as many bonds as it has electrons to give or receive. For example:
Element
Outer Electrons
Bonds Formed
Hydrogen 1
Oxygen 6 2
Nitrogen 5 3
Carbon 4

4. Atom Bonding
Consider the compound Methane. Its chemical formula is CH4.
Its structural formula looks something like this… H
H -- C -- H
*Notice that there are 4 bonds surrounding Carbon!

5. Carbon Bonding
Like the methane molecule above shows, carbon forms 4 covalent bonds with other elements including itself.
In bonding with itself, carbon can form:
Chain Compounds
Branched Compounds
Ring Compounds

6. Carbon Bonding

7. Carbon Bonding In bonding with itself, carbon can also form:
Single Bonds
C C
Double Bonds
Triple Bonds

8. Carbon Bonding
Double Bonds
Triple Bonds

9. Functional Groups
Special groups of atoms called functional groups can give carbon compounds specialized properties when they bond to a carbon molecule.
We know OH- as the Hydroxide Ion
OH is also called a Hydroxyl Group when it bonds to a carbon molecule
A carbon compound containing a hydroxyl group is an alcohol
Addition of an OH group creates a polar molecule (alcohols are polar)
Alcohols can form hydrogen bonds like water does

10. Large Carbon Molecules
Carbon molecules can build into larger molecules.
Monomer – a single molecule
Polymer – 2 or more monomers bonded together
Macromolecule – several monomers and/or polymers bonded together

11. Condensation Reactions
Monomers form polymers through condensation reactions.
To condense, two bonding molecules essentially lose water
One molecule loses an OH- group
The other molecule loses an H+
H+ + OH-  H2O (a product of the reaction)

12. Hydrolysis
Polymers can break down into monomers through hydrolysis reactions.
By adding water to some complex molecules, the molecule can be broken
Hydrolysis reactions break covalent bonds
When bonds break, energy is released
Hydrolysis is usually exergonic

13. Condensation & Hydrolysis
Condensation & Hydrolysis the Internet Movie

14. Why Know Hydrolysis?
Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) releases energy through hydrolysis
Water can disturb the bond on the third phosphate bonded to adenosine
When that bond is disturbed, it breaks
More energy is released by the broken bond than it took to break it
The cell uses the released energy to power its reactions

15. Why Know Hydrolysis?
ATP is the molecule from which cells get their energy.

16. Hydrolysis of ATP