Common Functional Groups and Linkages in Biochem

Question 1

Amine

Answer 1

Structure: RNH2, R2NH, R3N or RNH3+, R2NH2+, R3NH+
Functional Group or Linkage: amino group (look at picture for bond line structure)

Question 2

Alcohol

Answer 2

Structure: R-OH
Functional Group or Linkage: hydroxyl group
-OH

Question 3

Thiol

Answer 3

Structure: R-SH
Functional Group or Linkage: sulfhydryl group
-SH

Question 4

Ether

Answer 4

Structure: R-OR
Functional Group or Linkage: ether linkage -O-

Question 5

Aldehyde

Answer 5

Structure: R-C=OH
Functional Group or Linkage: carbonyl group C=O

Question 6

Ketone

Answer 6

Structure: R-C=OR
Functional Group or Linkage: carbonyl group C=O

Question 7

Carboxylic Acid

Answer 7

Structure: R-C=OOH
Functional Group or Linkage: carboxyl group C=OOH
carboxylate group C=OO-

Question 8

Ester

Answer 8

Structure: R-C=OOR
Functional Group or Linkage: ester linkage C=OO

Question 9

Thioester

Answer 9

Structure: R-C=OSR
Functional Group or Linkage: thioester linkage C=OS

Question 10

Amide

Answer 10

Structure: R-C=ONH2 or R-C=ONHR or R-C=ONR2
Functional Group or Linkage: amido group C=ON

Question 11

bImine (Schiff base)

Answer 11

Structure: R=NH R=NR or R=NH2+, R=NHR+
Functional Group or Linkage: imino group (look at picture)

Question 12

Disulfide

Answer 12

Structure: R-S-S-R
Functional Group or Linkage: disulfide linkage
-S-S-

Question 13

Phosphate ester

Answer 13

Structure: R-O-P=O-OOH-
Functional Group or Linkage: phosphoryl group
-O-P=O-OOH-

Question 14

Diphosphate ester

Answer 14

Structure: R-O-P=O-O-P=O-OOH-
Functional Group or Linkage: phosphoanhydride group

Question 15

Phosphate diester

Answer 15

Structure: R-O-P=O-OOR-
Functional Group or Linkage: phosphodiester linkage