Chapter 4 - Carbon and the Molecular Diversity of Life

Why does a carboxyl group have acetic properties?

A carboxyl group is a source of hydrogen ions. The covalent bond between the oxygen and the hydrogen is so polar that the hydrogen tends to dissociate reversibly from the molecule as an ion (H+)

Why are carbon atoms the most versatile building blocks of molecules

A covalent-bonding capacity of four contributes to the carbon's ability to form diverse molecules. Carbon can bond to a variety of atoms, including O, H, and N. Carbon atoms can also bond to other carbons, forming carbon skeletons of organic compounds.

The _______ group, can be either at the end of a carbon skeleton (______) or within the skeleton (_____). The hydrogen of this group can dissociate, making the molecule a weak acid

Carbonyl group(>CO) , aldehyde, ketone

Examples of hydrocarbons?

Fats have long hydrocarbon tails attached to a non-hc component. Also consists of major components of petroleum.

Aldehyde defn

If the carbonyl group is on the end of a carbon skeleton, the organic compound is called this. Otherwise, the compound is called a ketone (ex: acetone

Organic Chemistry is the study of

Organic Compounds

Why does variation in carbon skeletons contribute to the diversity of organic compounds?

The carbon skeletons of organic molecules vary in length and shape and have bonding sites for atoms of other elements. Hydrocarbons consist only of carbon and hydrogen. Carbon's versatile bonding is the basis for isomers, molecules with the same molecular formula but different structures and thus different properties. Three types of isomers are structural isomers, geometric isomers, and enantiomers.

Carboxyl group defn

When an oxygen atom is double-bonded to a carbon atom that is also bonded to a hydroxyl group, this assembly is called this.

The simplest ketone is _______, which is three carbons long

acetone

Organic compounds with the amino group are called _____

amines

The _______ group, can accept a proton ( ____), thereby acting as a ____.

amino group (---NH2), (H+), base

Glycine and similar compounds having both ____ and _____ groups are called ______ ____

amino, carboxyl, amino acids.

Isomers defn

compounds that have the same molecular formula but different structures and hence different properties. Ex. Two butanes, same formula different arangment of carbon skeleton.

Structural isomers defn

differ in the covalent arrangements of their atoms. Number of isomers increase as carbon skeeltons increaes in size

Geometric isomers defn

have the same covalent partnerships, but they differ in their spatial arrangements.

The ______ group, found in alcohols, has a ________ _____ bond, which helps alcohols dissolve in water

hydroxyl (-OH), polar covalent bond

Enantiomers defn

molecules that are mirror images of each other. Impt in the pharmaceutical industry bc two enantiomers of a drug may not be equally effective. "left handed and right handed versions" "ball and stick model".

Hydrocarbon defn

organic molecules consisting only of carbon and hydrogen. They store a relatively large amount of energy.

The ____ group has an important role in the transfer of cellular energy

phosphate group (----OPO3)2-

One function of _______ groups is the transfer of energy between organic molecules

phosphate groups

Functional groups defn

specific chemically reactive groups of atoms within organic molecules that give the overall molecule distinctive chemical properties. They are frequently attached to carbon skeletons. Ex

The ___ group helps stabilize the structure of some proteins.

sulfhydryl (------SH)

Organic compounds containing sulfhydryls are called ______

thiols