Chapter 4 Flashcards
life is based on
Water and Carbon
Carbon
- all living organisms are made up of chemical based element
“backbone”
Organic Chemistry
study of carbon compounds that range from simple molecules to colossal ones
- i.e. glucose is a simple one
Carbon structure
- has 6 elections and 4 valence elections that allow it to form 4 covalent bonds with a variety of atoms
- “tetravalent” nature allows it to form large complex molecules with a 3D tetrahedral shape
- can form single and double bonds
Bonding versatility of C
allows it to form many diverse molecules, including C skeletons, long chains, or ring structures (in aqueous environments)
the electron configuration of C gives it
covalent compatibility with many different elements
Carbon Chains
- form the skeletons of most organic molecules including DNA, RNA, proteins, carbohydrates, and some lipids
- vary in length and shape and may include double bonds and allow for chain branching
Urea
- mostly produced by the liver and kidneys
- purpose: byproduct of protein metabolism and breakdown
- found in urine
- contain N
Hydrocarbons
organic molecules consisting of only C and H atoms
- found in many of a cell’s organic molecules
- i.e. fatty acid chain
Non polar hydrocarbon
i. e. petroleum and fats
- cannot dissolve in water
Fats
high energy
more CH, more ATP that can be produced
Isomers
- molecules with the same molecular formula but different structures and properties
i. e. D-Mannose, D-Glucose, D-Galactose - variations in the structure or architecture of organic molecules
- molecules/compounds with the same molecular formula but different structures and chemical properties
3 types of isomers
1) Structural
2) Geometric
3) Enantiomers
Structural Isomers
differ in the covalent arrangements of their atoms
i.e. butane and isobutane C4H10 (straight vs. branched)
Geometric Isomers
differ in their spatial arrangements
- different location of individual atoms
i.e. cis- and trans-
Enantiomers
mirror images
-different “handedness”
“reflection”
- possible when 4 different atoms are bonded to a C
- there are left and right- handed versions
- usually only one version is “active” or specific for its targets
Parkinson’s disease
- neurological disease
- Lewy bodies: like a plaque in neurons –> leads to cell death
- caused by cell death of substrate nigra which makes dopamine
- L-Dopa (Leva-dopa) (effective against PD) and D-dopa (biologically inactive)
Functional Groups
- chemically reactive groups of atoms within an organic molecule
- are involved in chemical reactions and give organic molecules distinctive chemical properties
- provide molecular and physiological specificity
can modify structure –> modify function
i.e. estradiol (OH) and testosterone (CH3) and double bonds
7 functional groups
1) Hydroxyl
2) Carbonyl
3) Carboxyl
4) Amino
5) Sulfhydryl
6) Phosphate
7) Methyl
Hydroxyl
OH,
- alcohols
- polar, great solvent
- key sites of chemical bond formation
i. e. ethanol
Carbonyl
C=O
- can be ketones or aldehydes
- provide structural and functional properties for sugars, source of energy
Ketones
carbonyl group is within a C skeleton
i.e. fructose, acetone
R - (C=O) - R
Aldehydes
carbonyl group is at the end of the carbon skeleton
CHO or HC=O
i.e. propanal
Carboxyl (Carboxylic Acid)
COOH
- combination of a hydroxyl and a carbonyl
- acidic properties
i. e. acetic acid
