Download Identifying Organic Compounds

Name: _________________________
Identifying Organic Compounds
Introduction: The rules for determining whether a structural formula represents a
carbohydrate, lipid, nucleic acid, or amino acid (protein) are very specific. They include the
following:
1. All organic compounds contain carbon. Most inorganic compounds do not contain
carbon. Carbon Dioxide is an exception.
2. In carbohydrate molecules, the ratio of hydrogen to oxygen is 2:1; that is for every 2
molecules of hydrogen (H) there is 1 molecule of oxygen (O).
3. In lipids (fats & oils) the ratio of hydrogen to oxygen is much greater than 2:1.
4. Nucleic acid molecules are chains of repeating units, nucleotides, consisting of a 5carbon sugar, phosphate, & nitrogen base.
5. Amino acids, which build proteins, contain an amino group and an organic acid group.
The following flow chart can be used in conjunction with the above rules to identify organic
molecules.
Phosphate?
N
Y
Does it contain
NH2?
N
Made of sugarphosphate base?
Y
Is the ratio of
C:H:O 1:2:1?
N
N
Ratio C:H:O
NOT 1:2:1
Nucleic Acid
Y
Lipid
Y
Amino Acid
Y
Carbohydrate
N
Try Again!
Procedure: Learn the rules listed above. Look at the structures listed on the back of this
page and determine which type of structural formula is represented and why. Record your
answer and your reasoning in the data section.
Name: _________________________
Organic Compounds
#1
#2
#3
#4
#5
#6
#7
Data:
Number
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Type of Molecule
Reasoning
Name: _________________________