Ch.4 Organic Chemistry is the Study of Carbon Compounds Flashcards
Organic chemistry
The study of carbon compounds (organic compounds)
What are the major elements of life?
C, H, O, N, S, and P
Valence
The bonding capacity of a given atom; the number of covalent bonds that an atom can form
What are the four main atoms in organic molecules?
Hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon
What gives carbon covalent compatibility with many different elements?
Its electron configuration
What are the four ways that carbon skeletons can vary?
Length, branching, double-bond position, and presence of rings
Hydrocarbons
Organic molecules consisting of only carbon and hydrogen (are nonpolar and thus hydrophobic)
When hydrocarbons undergo reactions, what occurs?
They release a relatively large amount of energy
Isomers
Compounds that have the same number of atoms of the same elements, but different structures and hence, different properties
Structural isomers
Differ in the covalent arrangement of their atoms
Cis-trans isomers
DIffer in the arrangement about a double bond due to the inflexibility of double bonds
Cis isomer
The two x’s are on the same side
Trans isomer
The two x’s are on opposite sides
Enantiomers
Isomers that are mirror images of each other and that differ in shape due to the presence of an asymmetric carbon, one that is attached to four different atoms or groups of atoms
Functional groups
A specific configuration of atoms commonly attracted to the carbon skeletons of organic molecules and involved in chemical reactions
What seven chemical groups are most important in biological processes?
Hydroxyl, carbonyl, carboxyl, amino, sulfhydryl, phosphate, and methyl groups
Is the Hydroxyl group polar or nonpolar?
Polar due to the electronegative oxygen
What is the compound name of the Hydroxyl group?
Alcohol (specific name usually ends in -ol)
Hydroxyl
-OH
What are sugars with ketone groups called?
Ketoses
What are sugars with aldehydes called?
Aldoses
What is the compound name of the Carbonyl group?
Ketone (carbonyl group is within a carbon skeleton) or aldehyde (carbonyl group is at the end of a carbon skeleton)
Does the Carboxyl group act as an acid or a base?
Acts as an acid because the covalent bond between oxygen and hydrogen is so polar
What is the compound name of the Carboxyl group?
Carboxylic acid or organic acid
Carboxyl group
-COOH
Does the amino group act as an acid or a base?
Acts as a base; can pick up an H+ from the surrounding solution
What is the compound name of the Amino group?
Amine
Amino group
-NH2
What happens when two -SH groups react?
They can form a “cross-link” that helps stabilize protein structure
What is the compound name of the Sulfhydryl group?
Thiol
Sulfhydryl group
-SH or -HS
What kind of a charge does the Phosphate group contribute?
Contributes a 1- charge when positioned inside a chain of phosphates and 2- when at the end
What does phosphate confer on a molecule when attached?
The ability to react with water, releasing energy
What is the compound name of the Phosphate group?
Organic phosphate
Phosphate group
-OPO3^2-
What does the methyl group affect?
The expression of genes when on DNA or on proteins bound to DNA
Affects the shape and function of the male and female sex hormones
What is the compound name of the Methyl group?
Methylated compound
Methyl group
-CH3
Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP)
Stores the potential to react with water. The reaction releases energy that can be used by the cell
