Chapter 4 Flashcards
what is organic chemistry
study of compounds containing carbon
Methane
CH4
Ethane
C2H6
Ethene
C2H4
what are hydrocarbons
organic molecules consisting of only carbon and hydrogen
what are isomers
compounds that have the same number of atoms of the same elements but different structures and hence different properties
what are the three kinds of isomers?
structure isomers, cis trans isomers, and enantiomers
what are structural isomers
differ in the covalent arrangements of their atoms
what are cis trans isomers
in which carbons have covalent bonds to the same atoms, but these atoms differ in their spatial arrangements due to the inflexibility of double bonds
what are 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.
what are functional groups
chemical groups that are directly involved in chemical reactions
hydroxyl group
is polar due to electronegative oxygen. Forms hydrogen bonds with water, helping dissolve compounds such as sugars.
Compound name: Alcohol (specific name usually ends in -ol)
ex: ethanol, the alcohol present in alcoholic beverages
carbonyl group
sugars with ketone groups are called ketoses, those with aldehydes are called aldoses
compound name: ketone (carbonyl group is within a carbon skeleton) or aldehyde (carbonyl group is at the end of a carbon skeleton)
ex. acetone (simplest ketone), propanal (an aldehyde)
carboxyl group
acts as an acid (can donate H+) because the covalent bond between oxygen and hydrogen is so polar
compound name: carboxylic acid or organic acid
ex: acetic acid (which gives vinegar its sour taste) and the ionized form of -COOH (carboxylate ion found in cells)
amino group
acts as a base; can pick up an H+ from the surrounding solution (water, in living organisms)
compound name: amine
ex: glycine, an amino acid (note its carboxyl group) and the ionized form of -NH2 found in cells
sulfhydryl group
two -SH groups can react, forming a cross link that helps stabilize protein structure. hair protein cross-links, maintain the straightness or curliness of hair; in hair salons, “permanent treatments break cross links, then reform them while the hair is in the desired shape. compound name: thiol
ex. cysteine
phosphate group
contributes negative charge (1- when positioned inside a chain of the phosphates; 2- when at the end) when attached, confers on a molecule the ability to react with water, releasing energy.
compound name: organic phosphate
ex. glycerol phosphate (which takes part in many important chemical reactions in cells)
methyl group
affects the expression of genes when bonded to DNA or to proteins that bind to DNA. affects the shape and function of male and female sex hormones.
compound name: methylated compound
ex. 5-Methylcytosine: cytosine, a component of DNA has been modified by addition of a methyl group
what is atp
adenosine triphosphate, or ATP is the energy currency of the cell
