Chapter 4- Carbon And The Molecular Diversity Of Life

Question 1

Organic Chemistry

Answer 1

The study of carbon compounds.

In 1828, Friedrich Wohler, a German chemist, produced urea, and organic compound present in urine.

Question 2

Carbon

Answer 2

Can form four covalent bonds, due to the fact that it has only 4 valence electrons.
(Ex. Methane [CH4] bond angles= 109.5 degrees)

Question 3

Hydrocarbons

Answer 3

Organic molecules consisting of only carbon and hydrogen. Hydrocarbons can undergo reactions that release a relatively large amount of energy.

Question 4

Isomers

Answer 4

Compounds that have the same numbers of atoms of the same elements but different structures and hence different properties.
(Ex. Structural Isomers, cis-trans isomers, and enantiomers)

Question 5

Structural Isomers

Answer 5

Differ in the covalent arrangements of their atoms (difference in branching- one is straight and another branches)
The larger the carbon skeleton, the more the variations.
May differ in the location of double bonds.

Question 6

Cis-Trans Isomers

Answer 6

Have covalent bonds to the same atoms, but these atoms differ in their spatial arrangements due to the inflexibility of double bonds. When an arrangement consists of two X’s on the same side of the double bond–> cis isomer
X’s on opposite side–> trans isomer

Question 7

Enantiomers

Answer 7

Isomers that are mirror images of each other and that differ in shape due to the presence of an asymmetric carbon.
(Ex. Ibuprofen–>reduces inflammation and pain and Albuterol–>relaxes bronchial muscles, improving airflow in asthma patients)
Think of enantiomers as a left and right hand.

Question 8

Functional Group

Answer 8

Specific chemical groups that are directly involved in chemical reactions.
There are seven chemical groups: hydroxyl, carbonyl, amino, sulfhydryl, phosphate, and methyl
First six groups can be chemically reactive; of these, all except the sulfhydryl group are also hydrophilic
Methyl group is not reactive–>often serves as a recognizable tag on biological molecules

Question 9

Hydroxyl Group

Answer 9

(-OH)
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

Question 10

Carbonyl Group

Answer 10

(>C=O)
Sugars with ketone groups are called detoxes; those with aldehydes are called aldoses
Compounds name: ketone (carbonyl group is with a carbon skeleton) or aldehyde (carbonyl group is at the end of a carbon skeleton)

Ketone has carbonyl group within the carbon skeleton and Aldehyde has carbonyl group at the end of the carbon skeleton

Question 11

Carbonyl Group

Answer 11

(-COOH)
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

Question 12

Amino Group

Answer 12

(-NH2)
Acts as a base; can pick up a H+ from the surrounding solution (water, in living organisms)

Compound name: Amine

Question 13

Sulfhydryl Group

Answer 13

(-SH) Two- SH groups can react, forming a “cross-link” that helps stabilize protein structure.

Compound Name: Thiol

Question 14

Phosphate Group

Answer 14

(-OPO3^2-)
Contributes negative charge (1- when positioned inside a chain of 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

Question 15

Methyl Group

Answer 15

(-CH3)
Affects the expression of genes when on DNA or on proteins bound to DNA. Affects the shape and function of male and female sex hormones.

Compound name: Methylated compound

Question 16

Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP)

Answer 16

A molecule that consists of an organic molecule called adenosine attached to a string of three phosphate groups
Produced in the mitochondria of the cell for energy