AP Biology 2003-2004

Chapter 4.

The Chemistry of Carbon

AP Biology 2003-2004

Chemistry of Life Organic chemistry is the study of

carbon compounds C atoms are versatile building blocks

4 electrons in outer shell 4 stable covalent bonds

AP Biology 2003-2004

Hydrocarbons Simplest C molecules = hydrocarbons

combinations of C & H Simplest HC molecule = methane

1 carbon bound to 4 H atoms non-polar not soluble in H2O hydrophobic stable very little attraction between molecules a gas at room temperature

AP Biology 2003-2004

Hydrocarbons can grow adding C-C bonds

straight line Branching Ring

ethane

hexane

cyclohexaneisohexane

methane

AP Biology 2003-2004

Isomers Molecules with same molecular formula

but different structures different chemical properties

AP Biology 2003-2004

Structural isomers Molecules differ in structural

arrangement of atoms

AP Biology 2003-2004

Geometric isomers Molecules differ in arrangement around

C=C double bond

AP Biology 2003-2004

Enantiomer (stereo) isomers Molecules which are mirror images of

each other left-handed & right-handed versions

“L” versions are biologically active

AP Biology 2003-2004

Functional Groups

AP Biology 2003-2004

Functional groups Different elements added to organic

molecules that change their properties

AP Biology 2003-2004

Hydroxyl –OH

alcohols names typically end in -ol

ethanol

AP Biology 2003-2004

Carbonyl C=O

O double bonded to C if C=O at end molecule = aldelhyde if C=O in middle of molecule = ketone

AP Biology 2003-2004

Carboxyl –COOH

compounds with COOH = acidsfatty acidsamino acids

AP Biology 2003-2004

Amino -NH2

compounds with NH2 = aminesamnio acids

NH2 acts as base

ammonia picks up H+ from solution

AP Biology 2003-2004

Sulfhydryl –SH

S bonded to H compounds with SH = thiols SH groups stabilize the structure of proteins

AP Biology 2003-2004

Phosphate –PO4

function of PO4 is to transfer energy between organic molecules (ATP)