Carbon and the Molecular Diversity of Life Flashcards
organic chemistry
branch of chemistry that specializes in the study of carbon compounds
hydrocarbons
organic molecules consisting only of carbon and hydrogen
Isomers
compounds that have the same number of Atoms of the same elements but different structures and hence different properties
structural isomers
Isomers differ in the covalent arrangements of their atoms
geometric isomers
Isomers that have the same covalent partnerships, but they differ in their spatial arrangements
“cis” arrangement
two Xs on the same side
“trans” arrangement
two Xs are on opposite sides
enantiomers
molecules that are mirror Images of each other
asymetric carbon
carbon being attached to four different Atoms or groups of atoms
functional groups
the components of organic molecules that are most commonly involved in chemical reactions
functional group: hydroxyl
- OH
compound: alcohols
example: Ethanol
property: attracts water molecules; helping to dissolve organic compounds
functional group: carbonyl
=CO
compound: Ketones (carbonyl in carbon skeleton); Aldehydes (carbonyl at the end of carbon skeleton)
example: Acetone; Propanal
functional group: carboxyl
- COOH
compound: carboxyle acids/ organic acids
example: acetic acid
properties: acidic properties
functional group: amino
- NH2
compounds: Amines
example: glycine
properties: basic properties
functional group: sulfhydryl
- SH
compounds: thiols
example: ethanethiol
properties: two sulfhydryl Groups can interact to help stabilize protein structure
