Lecture 1: Carbon in Life Flashcards
Two fundamental requirements in organisms
energy & carbon
What is an organism’s mode of nutrition based on?
The source of the two fundamental requirements.
Three needs of an organism other than (energy and nutrients) for their proper functioning?
Water, Minerals, Vitamins
Aside from water what are living organisms mostly consist of?
carbon-based (organic) molecules
What are the carbon-based molecules that distinguish living matter from non-living matter? (4)
Proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, lipids
What are three abilities of carbon?
To form large, complex, and diverse molecules.
Elements that make up >95% of all matter found in organisms. (4)
H, O, N, C
What are the “building code” that governs the architecture of molecules in organisms?
(base de la structure des molecules)
The valences of carbon and its most frequent partners.
(carbon atom & what it is most frequently paired with)
What are biomolecules?
molecules important in life
T or F: Biomolecules include many organic molecules but also some inorganic molecules.
T
Give an example of a large molecule.
Phospholipid
Give an example of a macromolecule.
DNA
Give an example of a supramolecule complex.
Ribosome
First definition of “organic molecules”
molecules found in organisms
Chemical definition of “organic molecules”
carbon-based molecules
What are common bonds in organic molecules?
carbon-hydrogen & carbon-carbon covalent bonds
What is “Vitalism”? (2)
Idea that:
A. the production of organic molecules is governed by principles different from the principles of physics and chemistry observed in a lab.
B. organic molecules are created by a vital force contained within an organism.
How did (who) put death to “Vitalism”?
- Wöhler synthesized urea in a lab “without the use of kidneys, either man or dog.”
- Supported that organic chemistry can be carried out in a lab and is governed by the principles of physics and chemistry.
Diverse Array of Molecular Skeletons of Carbon Atoms
Why is carbon a versatile building block?
Carbon-based molecules can form an almost limitless array of strong molecular skeletons that work in extreme and moderate environments.
Why can carbon-based molecules form an almost limitless array of strong molecular skeletons that work in extreme and moderate environments?
A. Carbon can form up to four covalent bonds because of its four valence electrons .
B. Carbon-carbon bonds are stable .
What are functional groups?
H-, N-, O-, P-, and S-containing groups that are bonded to one of the carbon atoms of the skeleton.
What gives the overall shape to a molecule?
In general, the carbon atoms in an organic molecule provide a skeleton that gives the molecule its overall shape.
What do functional groups determine?
chemical behaviors of a molecule
What are chemical behaviors of a molecule?
A. Chemical reactivity
B. Interactions with other molecules
What does the chemical behavior of a molecule determine?
specific biological properties
What determines the unique chemical properties that result in unique biological properties of functional groups?
The number and arrangement of functional groups
HYDROXYL:
- Structure
- Name of compound
- Example
- Functional properties
CARBONYL:
- Structure
- Name of compound
- Example
- Functional properties
CARBOXYL:
- Structure
- Name of compound
- Example
- Functional properties
AMINO:
- Structure
- Name of compound
- Example
- Functional properties
PHOSPHATE:
- Structure
- Name of compound
- Example
- Functional properties
SULFHYDRYL:
- Structure
- Name of compound
- Example
- Functional properties
METHYL:
- Structure
- Name of compound
- Example
- Functional properties
Name the 7 functional groups
hydroxyl, carbonyl, carboxyl, amino, phosphate, sulfhydryl, methyl
What does the diversity in biomolecules lead to?
Diversity in cells in the body, individuals within populations, and species
What does structural diversity stems from?
Diversity in:
1. carbon skeleton
2. functional groups
What are isomers?
Compounds with the same molecular formula but different structures and properties.
What are the types of isomers? (3)
- Structural isomers
- Stereoisomers (Cis-trans stereoisomers & Enantiomers)
Explain structural isomers
Have different covalent arrangements of their atoms and different chemical properties (e.g., solubility, melting point, etc.).
Explain Cis-trans stereoisomers
*have the same covalent bonds but differ in spatial arrangements
*Can have similar chemical properties but different biological properties
Explain Enantiomers
*isomers that are mirror images of each other
*Can have similar chemical properties but different biological properties
Example of stereoisomers with different biological properties:
Slide 25
What does the proportion of polar vs non-polar bonds in biomolecules affect? (3)
A. Solubility in water
B. Ability to form
hydrogen bonds with other chemical groups
C. Chemical energy when used as a fuel
in energy metabolism
Most polar covalent bonds in biomolecules involve the atoms ___ and ___ . Why?
oxygen (O) and nitrogen (N)
because oxygen and nitrogen are more electronegative compared to carbon and hydrogen, leading to an uneven distribution of electrons in the covalent bonds. The higher electronegativity of oxygen and nitrogen attracts electrons more strongly, resulting in a partial negative charge on the oxygen or nitrogen atom and a partial positive charge on the carbon or hydrogen atom.
Dehydration Synthesis (or condensation)
Hydrolysis
Why do we require organic molecules?
- Storage, 2. Building, 3. Energy Use
(REVIEW) - List the 4 major classes of biomolecules
Proteins, Carbs, Lipids, Nucleic Acids
(REVIEW) - List which 3 classes (of the 4) contain some members that would be considered polymers
Proteins, Carbs, Nucleic Acids
(REVIEW) - List the name of the monomer and polymer for each. (Be general here; 3 monomer/polymer sets)
Proteins: amino acids, polypeptides
Carbs: Monosaccharides, polysaccharides
Nucleic Acids: nucleotides, polynucleotides
(REVIEW) - Describe at least 2 discrete general functions for each of the four major classes (e.g., transport proteins for proteins)
Proteins: contraction, hormone
Carbs: energy storage, structure
Nucleic Acids: gene storage, protein synthesis
Lipids: hormone, structure, energy storage
(REVIEW) - List one example of a molecule for each of the functions chosen (e.g., hemoglobin for a transport protein)
Proteins
- Contraction: ___________
- Hormone: ___________
Carbs
- Energy storage (short term): _________
- Structure: ___________
Nucleic Acids
- gene storage: ________
- protein synthesis: __________
Lipids
- Hormone: ___________
- structure: _____________
- energy storage: _________
Proteins
- Contraction: Actin & Myosin
- Hormone: Insulin
Carbs
- Energy storage (short term): glucose
- Structure: collagen
Nucleic Acids
- gene storage: DNA
- protein synthesis: mRNA
Lipids
- Hormone: estrogen, testosterone
- structure: phospholipids
- energy storage: tryglycerides
(REVIEW) - List the group of organisms that use the molecule you highlighted (e.g., animals for hemoglobin). Choose either animals, plants, fungi, protists, bacteria, archaea, a combination of these, or all organisms
Proteins
- Actin & Myosin: animals
- Insulin: animals
Carbs
- glucose: animals
- collagen: animals
Nucleic Acids
- DNA: all oragnisms
- mRNA: animals, plants, fungi, and protists (eukaryotes)
Lipids
- estrogen, testosterone: animals
- phospholipids: all organisms
- tryglycerides: animals
