Download AP Biology

AP Biology
Ch. 4 Learning Team Discussion Questions
1. What is vitalism? Discuss the experiments that contributed to the shifting of
mainstream biological thought from vitalism to mechanism.
2. What are the properties of carbon atoms that make them the most versatile
building blocks of molecules?
3. Describe the differences between organic molecules where carbon atoms are
surrounded by 4 single bonds and where carbon atoms are double bonded to each
other. Give specific examples to support your answer.
4. Build the following molecules to see the three dimensional shape which
contributes to its function.
Carbon dioxide (CO2)
Methane (CH4)
Ethane (C2H6)
Ethene (C2H4)
Urea CO(NH2)2
5. What is a hydrocarbon? List several important properties of hydrocarbons. Are
hydrocarbons important components of living organisms. Explain.
6.
Build the following hydrocarbons: propane, isobutene, 1-butene, 2-butene,
cyclohexane, bezene
AP Biology
Ch 4 Discussion Questions Part II
Name_____________________
7. Define the term isomer. Give a brief explanation of each type of isomer and one
example of each.
8. What are functional groups and what relationship do they have with
hydrocarbons?
9. What is an alcohol? Which functional group makes an organic compound alcohol
and what are the characteristics of an alcohol? Give an example of an alcohol.
10. What is a carbonyl group? Explain the difference between an aldehyde and a
ketone. Give an example of each.
11. What are carboxylic acids? Why are they called acids? What is the difference
between a non-ionized and an ionized carboxyl group? Give an example.
12. Explain why an amino group acts as a base.
13. What functional group makes an organic compound a thiol? What is the
relationship between a thiol and an alcohol?
14. How do phosphate group form from phosphoric acid? Name an important energy
storing compound found in living systems that contains phosphate groups.