2–3 Carbon Compounds
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Big Ideas:
Big Idea #2: Life emerges due to the chemical organization of matter into
cells.
d. Cells are composed mostly of: C, H, N, O, P, and S. (S11.C.1.1.1)
e. Carbon rings and chains form the backbone of all biological molecules. (S11.A.
3.3.1; S11.C.1.1.1)
f. Many biological molecules are polymers made from monomers that contain carbon
chemically bound with other elements. (S11.A.3.3.1; S11.C.1.1.1)
g. Carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids are the chemical foundations for
life. (S11.B.1.1.1)
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I. The Chemistry of Carbon
A. Organic chemistry is the study of all compounds that contain bonds between
carbon atoms.
Carbon compounds are also called organic compounds.
B. Why Carbon? It has 4 valence electrons which allow it to make covalent bonds
Substances.
C. It can bond with many elements including itself. (Creating carbon skeletons).
D. Carbon skeletons – group of carbons linked together ( C-C-C-C-C).
II. Macromolecules – “giant molecules” (Hundreds to Thousands of smaller molecules)
A. Many of the molecules in living things are so large that they are known as
macromolecules.
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B. Macromolecules are formed in a process called polymerization.
C. Polymerization - Smaller units, called monomers, join together to form
macromolecules, or polymers.
** Looks like Legos or Baby Blocks**
D. Four groups of organic compounds that are macromolecules can be found
in living things: carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acids, and proteins.
III. Carbohydrates (usually a ratio of 1:2:1 of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen)
A. Carbohydrates are compounds made up of carbon, hydrogen, and
oxygen
atoms.
B. Living things use carbohydrates as their main source of energy.
C. Plants and some animals use carbohydrates in structures.
D. Starches and sugars are examples of carbohydrates.
E. Polymer – Starch, glycogen, cellulose (polysaccharide) ; Monomer –
Glucose (monosaccharide)
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IV. Lipids – made mostly from carbon and hydrogen atoms.(generally not soluble in water)
A. Fats, oils, and waxes are lipids.
B. Lipids are used in living things to store energy.
C. Some lipids are important parts of biological membranes and
waterproof coverings.
E. Lipid molecules are made up of compounds called fatty acids and glycerol.
D. Saturated vs. unsaturated
i.
Saturated don’t have a carbon carbon double bond in it
(C=C); usually solid at room temperature
ii.
Unsaturated do have a carbon carbon double bond in it
(C=C); this results in a kink in the molecule. usually liquid
at room temperature
V. Nucleic Acids – contain hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, carbon, and phosphorous.
A. Nucleotides are the monomers that make up nucleic acids.
B. Each nucleotide consists of a 5-carbon sugar, a phosphate group, and a
nitrogenous base.
C. Nucleic acids store and transmit hereditary, or genetic, information.
D. There are two kinds of nucleic acids: ribonucleic acid (RNA) and
deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA).
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VI. Proteins - contain nitrogen as well as carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen.
A. Proteins are polymers of molecules called amino acids (aa).
1) Amino acids – made of an amino (NH2) and carboxylic
group (COOH). They have the formula N-C-C.
2) There are 20 different amino acids found naturally.
B. Some proteins control the rate of reactions and regulate cell processes.
C. Some are used to form bones and muscles.
D. Others transport substances into or out of cells or help to fight disease.
E. Structure and Function
1) The shape determines the function.
a) R Groups are what make amino acids different from each other.
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F. Levels of Organization
1) Four levels of protein organization:1st aa order, 2nd twisting or
folding, 3rd chain folds upon itself, 4th multiple chains bond.
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