1. Chapter 4 Functional Groups Chapter 5 Macromolecules
Biochemistry
Chapter 4
Functional Groups
Chapter 5
Macromolecules

2. Carbon—The Backbone of Biological Molecules
All living organisms
Are made up of chemicals based mostly on carbon due to its bonding ability
All life considered “carbon based life-forms”

3. Biochemistry Part 1 Chapter 4: Functional Groups

4. Chapter 4 Organic chemistry
the study of carbon compounds
Organic compounds have carbon in them (& usually H)
Exception: CO2 is considered INORGANIC
Range from simple to big molecules

5. Formation of Bonds w/ Carbon
Carbon atoms
forms diverse molecules
b/c carbon has 4 valence electrons bind to to 4 other atoms
can form 4 covalent bonds with itself or other atoms  very important in living things!
Carbon has bonding versatility
allows it to form many diverse molecules, including carbon skeletons (carbon “chains”)

7. The electron configuration of carbon
Gives it covalent compatibility with many different elements H O N C
Hydrogen
(valence = 1)
Oxygen
(valence = 2)
Nitrogen
(valence = 3)
Carbon
(valence = 4)
Figure 4.4

8. Molecular Diversity Arising from Carbon Skeleton Variation
Carbon chains
Form skeletons of most organic molecules
Vary in length and shape
Straight
Branched
Rings

9. Hydrocarbons Organic molecules consisting of only C and
Ex: petroleum; lipid ‘tails’
Found in many of cell’s organic molecules
Ex: fat molecules
Covalent bonding btw C-H nonpolar (hydrophoic)
High energy storage

10. Example of a Hydrocarbon
(a) A fat molecule
(b) Mammalian adipose cells
100 µm
Fat droplets (stained red)
Figure 4.6 A, B

11. ISOMERS
Isomers
same molecular formula, but different structure & properties
Have same # of atoms arranged differently
3 types of isomers
structural~ differ in covalent bonding arrangement
geometric~ differ in spatial arrangement
Arise from inflexibility of double C bond
cis (same side) vs. trans (opposite sides)
enantiomers~ mirror images of each other
Ex: used in pharmacological industry

12. 1 usually active; other inactive
Example of Isomers
Straight vs. branched
Cis vs. trans
1 usually active; other inactive
Asymmetrical Carbon

13. Enantiomers Are important in the pharmaceutical industry L-Dopa
(effective against Parkinson’s disease)
D-Dopa
(biologically inactive)
Figure 4.8

14. Functional Groups
Functional groups
parts of organic molecules involved in chemical rxns (i.e.-chemically reactive groups)
each functional group behaves in a consistent fashion from 1 organic molecule to the next
# & arrangement of groups helps give molecules unique, distinctive chemical properties

15. 7 functional groups important in chemistry of life
Hydroxyl
Carbonyl
Carboxyl
Amino
Sulfhydryl
Phosphate
Methyl

16. Functional Groups 1. Hydroxyl Group (-OH) H bonded to O
Attachments replace 1+ of H’s bonded to C skeleton of the hydrocarbon
Each GROUP are HYDROPHILIC  increase organic molecule solubility in water
1. Hydroxyl Group (-OH)
H bonded to O
Make alcohols, sugars
polar (b/c of oxygen electronegivity)
soluble in water (attracts H20)

17. Functional Groups 2. Carbonyl Group (C=O) C double bond to O
Aldehyde (at the end of C skeleton)
Ketone (INSIDE Carbon skeleton)
Ex: Acetone, Propanal

18. Aldehyde
**Think: all the way at the end!
Ketone

19. Functional Groups cont’d
3. Carboxyl Group (-COOH)
O double bonded to C to hydroxyl
Carboxylic acids (organic acids)
Covalent bond between O and H
Polar
Dissociation  H ion source (Acidic properties)
**Think: Carboxyl has a hydroxyl!

20. Functional Groups cont’d
4. Amino Group (-NH2)
N to 2 H atoms
Makes Amines
Acts as a base (+1)
Also makes AMINO ACIDS Have both amino and carboxyl groups

21. Functional Groups cont’d
5. Sulfhydral Group (-SH)
sulfur bonded to H
Makes disulfide bridges
2 sulfhydral groups can interact to stabilize protein structure

22. Functional Groups cont’d
6. Phosphate Group (-OPO3-)
Organic phosphates
Forms phosphate ion
Covalently attached by 1 of its O to the C skeleton
Can transfer energy btw organic molecules
Ex: ATP

23. Functional Groups cont’d
7. Methyl Group
(-CH3)
Usually not as reactive as other groups
Used in gene expression

24. Male or Female!!
Only one little itty bitty difference that separates the sexes