1.3 Flashcards
(11 cards)
Facts about Carbon
- C atoms are at the base of every organic molecule
-Forms backbone of large, complex molecules
- Assemble into chain or ring structure
- Can form single, double, triple bonds
Carbon Chains: the backbone of biochemistry
Hydrocarbons: only contains C and H
- Methane (CH4) is the simplest of hydrocarbon
- commonly used as fuels
- Branched or unbranched (look at DIAGRAM) chains
- C can form rings
- C rings can form complex chains ex. polysaccarides
Molecules with elements other than C & H give the biological molecules its functioning properties
Functional Groups
- Groups of atoms that affects the function of molecules by participating in chem. rxns
- Attached to C structures
- Gives them specific chem. characteristics
- often ionic/polar
- non-polar re not involved in chem. rxns
Hydroxyl
Class: Alcohol
Example: in alcoholic beverages
–C–OH
Carbonyl
C=O
Class: Aldehydes & Ketones
Aldehydes: (Usually at the end)
C=O
\
H
Ex. Acetyladehyde
Ketones: (usually in the middle)
C
||
O
Ex. acetone
Carboxyl
Class: Organic acids
Example: acetic acid (vinegar)
–C–OOH
or
O
// --C--C
\
OH
Amino group
Class: amino acids
Key: has a N
- Carboxl give it its acidic properties
C–NH2
Phosphate
Class: Nucleotides
C–PO4
Key: have a phosphate
Sulfhydryl
Class: many cellular molecules
C–SH
Key: has SH
Characteristics of functional groups
- Makes molecules available for cell use
- Makes them water soluble
Ex.
Ethane: not usable/water soluble
Ethanol: Contains hydroxyl group. Can be metabolize and is usable
Ionic functional groups
Carboxyl group: release H+ and acts as an acid
Amino: Accept H+ and act as a weak base
Phosphate: Loses hydrogen atoms and acts as an acid. DNA is acid b/c of high # of phosphate group. Therefore overall charge is a negative.
