Download Chapter 4: Carbon and Molecular Diversity: KEY

Chapter 4: Carbon and Molecular Diversity: KEY
Vocabulary and Study Questions
1) List the six major elements that are components of
organic molecules. C, H, N, O, P, S
2)What is tetravalence? Carbon has 4 valence electrons
b) What effect does it have on carbon? Each C atom can
act as an intersection point from which a molecule can
branch off in up to 4 directions
3)Even though it is easier to write out or draw molecules as
two-dimensional or flat structures, in reality they are
three-dimensional. Why is this important? The shape of
a molecule often determines its function.
4)Why is CO2 considered inorganic? it lacks hydrogen
5)What are two characteristics of hydrocarbons? 1)
hydrophobic 2) can undergo reactions that release a
large amount of energy
6)Define the following terms:

organic chemistry: branch of chemistry that
specializes in the study of Carbon


hydrocarbon: organic molecules consisting of only
Carbon & Hydrogen
isomer: variations in the architecture of organic
molecules
o structural isomer: differs in the covalent
arrangement of atoms (ex: linear or branched
skeleton)
o geometric isomer: same covalent partnerships,
but differ in spatial arrangement
o enantiomer: molecules that are mirror images of
each other

functional group: components of organic molecules
that are most commonly involved in chemical
reactions
7)List a biological consequence or use for a) geometric
isomers: light induces a change in rhodopsin from a cis
isomer to a trans isomer and b) enantiomers:
pharmaceuticals- two enantiomers may not be equally
effective (L-dopa vs D-dopa drug for Parkinsons &
thalidomide)
8) Covalent bonds link carbon atoms together in long chains
that form the skeletal framework for organic molecules.
These carbon skeletons vary from one another in four
ways. List these below.

length

branched or unbranched

may have double bonds (vary in location)

may be arranged in rings
9) Complete the following table for the six major functional groups of organic molecules.
Functional Molecula Polar or soluble
Names and Characteristics
examples
Group
r
nonpola
in
of Organic Compounds with
Formula
r
water
this Functional Group
?
Alcohols (~ol)
(water molecules attracted to
Hydroxyl ~OH
Polar
Yes
~OH which helps dissolve
ethanol
organic compounds (ex:
sugars)
Carbonyl
Carboxyl
***
Amino
***
~CO
(~C==O)
~COOH
~NH2
Sulfhydryl ~SH
Phosphate
***
~PO4-
Polar
Polar
Polar
Polar
Polar
Aldehyde
Propanol
Ketone (have different
properties due to location of
C=O bond)
acetone
Formic acid
Yes
Carboxylic acids
(source of H+; covalent bond
very polar due to 2 O atoms
that the H+ dissociates [sour
taste; sting])
Glycine
Yes
Amines
(acts as a base; picks up an H+
from surrounding solution 
most common state in a cell
~NH3)
Thiols
(help stabilize intricate
structure of many proteins
ethanethiol
Phosphate groups
(transfer energy between
prganic molecules so a cell can
perform work
Glycerol
phosphate
Yes
Yes
Yes
Acetic acid
Contrac-tion
of muscle cell