1. Periodic Table for Biology & The Chemistry of Carbon
Chemistry in Biology
Periodic Table for Biology &
The Chemistry of Carbon

3. Diversity of Life
Almost all molecules a cell makes are composed of carbon

4. Organic Compounds Carbon based molecules
Most versatile building blocks of molecules

5. Properties of Carbon
4 valence electrons – little tendency to gain or loose electrons
Can combine with atoms of many different elements
Can form 4 single covalent bonds
Can form double and triple covalent bonds

6. Organic Compounds
Carbon forms the greatest number of different compounds
Compounds containing only hydrogen and carbon are called hydrocarbons
Simplest: methane (CH4)

8. Hydrocarbons Same molecular formula but different position = isomers
C4H10

9. Resources
Campbell et.al. (2004) Biology: Exploring Life. Prentice Hall Campbell, N., Reece, J. (2005). AP Edition Biology, 7th ed. San Francisco, CA: Benjamin Cummings Publishing Company. i-Biology (2013). Periodic table for biologists. Retrieved January 23, 2015 from website