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Biology 1060
Chapter 4
Carbon and the
Molecular Diversity of Life
Carbon:
Backbone of Biological Molecules
Explain why “carbon is unparalleled in its
ability to form molecules that are large,
complex, and diverse”
Describe emergent properties of carbon
– discuss their contribution to the organization
of matter in living organisms
Discuss how the diversity of carbon-based
molecules contributes to the diversity of
life
Organic Chemistry
Describe the original concept of “organic
chemistry” and the ideas associated with it
Discuss the modern understanding of
“organic chemistry” and the ideas
associated with it
Describe three scientific experiments that
lead to the modern definition of organic
chemistry and the conclusions they reached
Carbon is Tetravalent
Define tetravalence
– discuss how tetravalence explains carbon’s
ability to form diverse molecules from a small
array of elements
Use a tetrahedron to describe the building
of molecules with one, two or more
carbons
Describe the effect of single and double
bonds on the shapes of carbon molecules
Evolution Connection p.67
What properties does silicon share with
carbon?
Does that make it likely that life in the
universe may include organisms with
silicon-based chemistry?
Is it possible to have chemistry based on
additional elements, such as aluminum or
neon?
Molecular Diversity
Describe the sources of molecular
diversity of carbon compounds
Define hydrocarbon
– Explain their significance to organisms
Isomers
Define isomer
– Describe the different types of isomers
Describe how double-bonds affect the
atoms they connect
– Give an example from organisms
Describe the asymmetric carbon
– Describe how molecules with asymmetrical
carbons may be used by cells
Scientific Inquiry p. 67
In 1918, a sleeping sickness epidemic
resulted in some patients with paralysis
similar to that in Parkinson’s disease
– A chemical, L-dopa, relieves they symptoms
of Parkinson’s disease
– L-dopa temporarily relieved the paralysis of
sleeping sickness patients with paralysis
– D-dopa has no effect on either
Suggest a hypothesis to explain this data
Functional Groups
Define functional groups
Discuss their importance using
testosterone and estradiol as examples
List and describe the properties of each of
the six most important functional groups
– Fig. 4.10
Adenosine Triphosphate
Describe the ATP molecule
Discuss its importance in cells
Science, Technology, and Society
p.67
50 years ago, thalidomide caused birth defects
in women taking it to relieve morning sickness
In 1998, FDA approved its use in the treatment
of Hansen’s disease (leprosy)
– It also has possible efficacy in treating AIDS,
tuberculosis and some cancers
Is approving this drug appropriate?
– Under what conditions?
– What criteria should be used to weigh a drug’s risks
and benefits