Carbon Chemistry
Why does carbon have a central
role in the chemistry of living things?
• Because of its unique ability to combine
with itself and other elements
Why is carbon bonding unique?
• It has 4 valence electrons and can make
up to 4 chemical bonds.
Why are carbon compounds
so important?
• They form the foundation of life. You are
made up of carbon compounds.
• Of the 11,000,000 compounds in living
things, 10,000,000 contain carbon.
What are 3 forms of pure carbon?
• Diamonds (the hardest)
• Graphite (layered and slippery)
• Fullerenes (bucky balls)
& Nanotubes
What is an organic compound?
• A compound that contains carbon
• Where organic compounds are found:
What are some similar properties
of organic compounds?
• Low melting points and boiling points
• Have strong odors
• Conduct electricity
What is a polymer?
• A very large molecule made of many
smaller molecules.
Ex: chain of paper clips.
What is a monomer?
• The smaller molecules that make up a
polymer.
How do polymers form?
• When chemical bonds link large numbers
of monomers in a repeating pattern
List the common elements
found in living things.
•
•
•
•
•
•
Carbon
Hydrogen
Nitrogen
Oxygen
Phosphorus
Sulfur
“CHNOPS”
C
H
N
O
P
S
What are 2 main categories of
molecules in living things?
Small:
water
salts
minerals
vitamins
Large:
carbohydrates
lipids
proteins
nucleic acids
What are the four classes of
LARGE organic polymers?
1.
2.
3.
4.
Carbohydrates
Lipids
Proteins
Nucleic Acids
What is a carbohydrate?
• An energy-rich organic compound
• Made of sugar (glucose) monomers
What are carbohydrates used
for?
• Releases energy to allow body to carry out
its life functions.
• Starch: grains,
cereal, bread, pasta
• Cellulose: fiber,
fruits, vegetables
What is a protein?
• Organic polymers
• Made of amino acid monomers
There are 20 different amino
acids that make up all proteins
What are proteins used for?
• Used to build and repair body parts and
regulate cell activities.
What is a lipid?
• Energy-rich compounds
• Made of fatty acid monomers
• Found in fats, oils and waxes
cholesterol.
What are lipids used for?
• Energy storage!
• Store more than twice the energy as
carbohydrates
1g carb = 4 cal
1g fat = 9 cal
What are nucleic acids?
• Very large organic molecules
• Made of nucleotide monomers
• 2 types: DNA and RNA
What are nucleic acids used for?
• Order of nucleotides serves as coded
instructions to cells.
• When living things reproduce, they pass
DNA and the information it carries to the
next generation.
• The difference in living things depend on
the order of nucleotides in the DNA
What are some of the smaller
molecules in living things?
•
•
•
•
Water
Vitamins
Minerals
Salts
Vitamin C
Why do we need these smaller
molecules?
• Support functioning of larger molecules