Chapter 4 Outline
Carbon and the Molecular Diversity of Life

Concept #1

Organic chemistry is the study of carbon compounds

.Organic compounds can be as simple as methane (CH4) or as complex as hemoglobin.
Carbons versatility contributes to the diversity of organic molecules.

Concept #2

Carbon atoms are the most versatile building blocks of moleules
Carbon has 4 electrons in its outer shell and has little tendency to gain or lose electrons
Carbon completes its valence shell by forming 4 covalent bonds (tetravalence)
Carbon most frequently bonds with oxygen, hydrogen and nitrogen

Concept #3

Variation in carbon skeletons contributes to the diversity of organic molecules.
Carbon chains form the backbone of organic molecules.
Carbon compounds consisting of only carbon and hydrogen are called hydrocarbons.

Compounds that have the same molecular formula but different structures and properties are called isomers.

 

Structural isomers - molecules that differ in the covalent arrangement of their atoms.
Geometric isomers - molecules that have the same covalent arrangements but differ in their spatial arrangement.
Enantiomers - molecules that are mirror images of each other.

Concept #4

Functional groups also contribute to the diversity of life.
Functional groups are certain groups of atoms attached to carbon skeletons.
Functional groups are regions of molecules most commonly involved in chemical reactions.
Functional groups behave consistently from one organic molecule to another.
The 6 most important functional groups in biochemistry are:

hydroxyl group - OH (forms alcohols)
carbonyl group - CO (forms ketones and aldehydes)
carboxyl group - COOH (forms carboxylic or organic acids)
amino group - NH2 (forms amines)
sulfhydryl group - SH (forms thiols)
Phosphate group - PO4 (forms organic phosphates)