Carbon the backbone of life

Question 1

Carbon is the backbone of life

Answer 1

Although cells are 70–95% water, the rest consists
mostly of carbon-based compounds
* Carbon is unparalleled in its ability to form large,
complex, and diverse molecules
* Proteins, DNA, carbohydrates, and other molecules
that distinguish living matter are all composed of
carbon compounds

Question 2

Electron configuration

Answer 2

the key to an atom’s characteristics
* Electron configuration determines the kinds and
number of bonds an atom will form with other atoms
This tetravalence makes large, complex molecules
possible
* In molecules with multiple carbons, each carbon
bonded to four other atoms has a tetrahedral shape
(tetrahedron)
* However, when two carbon atoms are joined by a
double bond, the molecule has a flat shape
* The electron configuration of carbon
gives it covalent compatibility with
many different elements
* The valences of carbon and its most
frequent partners (hydrogen,
oxygen, and nitrogen) are the
“building code” that governs the
architecture of living molecules

Question 3

Hydrocarbons

Answer 3

Hydrocarbons are organic molecules consisting of only
carbon and hydrogen e.g., fats
* Hydrocarbons can undergo reactions that release a
large amount of energy

Question 4

Isomers

Answer 4

Isomers are compounds with the same molecular
formula but different structures and properties:
* Structural isomers
* Geometric isomers
* Enantiomers

Question 5

Structural Isomers

Answer 5

Structural isomers have different covalent
arrangements of their atoms

Question 6

Geometric Isomers

Answer 6

Geometric isomers have the same covalent
arrangements but differ in spatial arrangements

Question 7

Enantiomers

Answer 7

Enantiomers are isomers that are mirror images of each other

Question 8

Functional groups of biological
molecules

Answer 8

Distinctive properties of organic molecules depend not
only on the carbon skeleton but also on the molecular
components attached to it
* Functional groups: are most commonly involved in
chemical reactions
* The number and arrangement of functional groups give
each molecule its unique properties

Question 9

The seven functional groups that are most important in the chemistry of life:

Answer 9

• Hydroxyl group
• Carbonyl group
• Carboxyl group
• Amino group
• Sulfhydryl group
• Phosphate group
• Methyl group

Question 10

Valence

Answer 10

An atom’s chemical characteristic is dependent on it electron configuration or its valence electrons which will determine how it reacts with other atoms i.e. the number of bonds it will form