Functional Groups Flashcards
(36 cards)
What is an atom and what do they consist of?
The basic particles of the chemical elements. Consists of a nucleus of protons and generally neutrons surrounded by an electromagnetically bound swarm of electrons
What is an element?
A substance that cannot be separated into simpler substances through chemistry and is made of the same atoms.
What is a compound?
Formed when 2 or more elements go on to combine and form a new substance
What is a molecule?
Similar to a compound but usually participates in organic chemistry reactions
What is an isotope?
An atom with the same number of protons but differing numbers of neutrons. So have different atomic weights
What is an ion?
An atom or molecule with a net charge due to the loss or gain of one or more electrons
What does catabolism mean?
Breakdown of macromolecules into smaller constituents
What does anabolism mean?
Formation of macromolecules from smaller constituents
What are the six basic elements of life?
Hydrogen, Carbon, Oxygen, Nitrogen, Sulphur and Phosphorus
Properties of hydrogen
- An important structural element but often also seen in accessory roles, helping to for, important functional groups & molecular structures.
- forms one bond with another element
- found in most biological molecules
Properties of carbon
- Main structural element for all living tissue
- Usually forms four bonds with other elements
- C-C bonds contain energy used in metabolism
- Found in almost all biological molecules
Properties of Oxygen
- Involved in many energy related reactions
- Usually forms two bonds with other elements
- Found in almost all biological molecules including amino acids/proteins, carbohydrates, lipids & nucleus acids, as well as multiple other chemical and biological molecules
Properties of nitrogen
- Involved in many energy transfers & specialised structures
- Usually forms 3 or 4 bonds with other elements
- Important in biological molecules including amino acids/proteins, complex carbohydrates and lipids in nucleic acids
Properties of Sulphur
- Involved in specialised structures
- Usually forms two bonds with other elements
- Found in two amino acids and also seen in complex carbohydrates and lipids
Properties of Phosphorus
- Involved in energy storage
- Usually forms 4 bonds with other elements
- Most importantly found in DNA & RNA & the nucleotides that form them
What are functional groups?
- Groups of atoms that occur within organic molecules & confer specific chemical properties to these molecules
- They play an important role in the formation of biomolecules
- They can participate in specific chemical reactions which directly influences properties of macromolecules.
What are the distinguishing features of alkanes?
- Only comprised of carbon and hydrogen
- All single bonds
What are the distinguishing features of alkenes?
- Only comprised of carbon and hydrogen
- Carbon to carbon double bond
What are the distinguishing features of alkynes?
- only comprised of carbon and hydrogen
- carbon to carbon triple bond
What are the distinguishing features of alcohols?
- Only one oxygen
- Has an OH group
What are the distinguishing features of aldehydes?
- Only one oxygen
- Has a C=O group
- The C=O group is at the end of the chain, so it shares the carbon with a hydrogen atom
What are the distinguishing features of ketones?
- Only one oxygen
- Has a C=O group
- The C=O is not at the end of the carbon chain, instead it is situated next to two carbons
What are the distinguishing features of carboxylic acids?
- Only two oxygens
- Has an O-H and C=O group bonded to the same carbon atom
- The -COOH group must be at the end of the chain
What are the distinguishing features of an ester?
- has 2 oxygens
- One oxygen is part of a C=O bond, the other oxygen is in between two carbons
