Chapter 4: Carbon And The Molecular Diversity Of Life Flashcards
Explain what organic compounds are and how they might have arisen on Earth
Organic compounds are compounds that contain carbon. It was found that organic compounds such as amino acids may have been able to form in the prehistoric atmosphere and ocean.
Why does carbon’s atomic structure result in a wide range of molecular structures
Carbon has 4 valence electrons, which means it can form 4 single covalent bonds.
Hydrocarbons
An organic molecules consisting of only carbon and hydrogen
Relatively non-polar and undergoes reactions that release a relatively large amount of energy
Isomers
One or two more compounds that have the same number of atoms of the same elements but different structures, and hence different properties.
Structural Isomer
Isomers that differ in the covalent arrangement of their atoms
Cis-Trans Isomer
Isomers that differ in spatial arrangement due to the inflexibility of double bonds
Enantiomer
Isomers that are mirror images of each other and that differ in shape due to the presence of an asymmetric carbon
Hydroxyl group
-OH
Oxygen single bonded to a hydrogen
Is polar
Carbonyl Group
-C=O
Oxygen double bonded to a carbon
Ketones - Carbonyl group within a carbon skeleton
Aldehyde - carbonyl group at the end of a carbon skeleton
Carboxyl group
COOH
Carbon double bonded to one oxygen and single bonded to a hydroxyl group
Acts as an acid
Amino Group
NH2
Nitrogen single bonded to two hydrogen atoms
Acts as a base
Sulfhydryl group
SH
Sulfur bonded to a hydrogen
Two SH groups can react, forming a cross link that helps stabilize protein structure
Phosphate group
OPO3 2-
Phosphorus double bonded to one oxygen, single bonded to an oxygen, and single bonded to 2 oxygen anions
Contributes negative charge, and gives the molecule the ability to react with water.
Methyl Group
CH3
Affects the shape and function of male and female sex hormones
Affects the expression of genes.
