Carbon and the Molecular Diversity of Life: Chp 4

Question 1

major elements of life

Answer 1

C, H, O, N, S, P

Question 2

what do all organic compounds contain

Answer 2

carbon, and most also contain hydrogen

Question 3

carbon is unparalleled in its ability to form molecules that are large, complex, and diverse. Why?

Answer 3

• it has 4 valence electrons
• it can form up to 4 covalent bonds
• these can be single, double, or triple covalent bonds
• it can form large molecules
• these molecules can be chains, ring-shaped, or branched

Question 4

isomers

Answer 4

molecules that have the same molecular formula but differ in their arrangement of these atoms. these differences can result in molecules that are very different in their biological activities. EX: glucose and fructose

Question 5

functional groups

Answer 5

attached to the carbon skeleton have diverse properties. The behavior of organic molecules is dependent on the identity of their functional groups

Question 6

hydroxyl functional group

Answer 6

alcohols such as ethanol, methanol; helps dissolve molecules such as sugars

Question 7

carboxyl functional group

Answer 7

carboxylic acids such as fatty acids and sugars; acidic properties because it tends to ionize; source of H+ ions

Question 8

carbonyl functional group

Answer 8

ketones and aldehydes such as sugars

Question 9

amino functional group

Answer 9

amines such as amino acids

Question 10

phosphate functional group

Answer 10

organic phosphates, including ATP, DNA, and phospholipids

Question 11

sulfhydryl functional group

Answer 11

this group is found in some amino acids; forms disulfide bridges in proteins

Question 12

methyl functional

Answer 12

addition of methyl group affects expression of genes