Carbon compoundsThe chemistry of life

Organic Organic moleculesmolecules

• Organic molecules Organic molecules all contain Carbon.all contain Carbon.

• Usually bonded to Usually bonded to the elements N, H, the elements N, H, O.O.

• CHNOPS are the 6 CHNOPS are the 6 most common most common elements in elements in organisms.organisms. Amino acid: alanine

Why Carbon?Why Carbon?• Can form up to 4 Can form up to 4

bonds. bonds. • It can form single, It can form single,

double or triple double or triple bonds with other bonds with other atoms.atoms.

• Carbon is central to Carbon is central to large, organic large, organic moleculesmolecules• It is the ‘backbone’ It is the ‘backbone’

of the molecule.of the molecule.

Single bonds

Triple bondsDouble bonds

monomers

• Monomers are simple compounds that can be bonded together to form larger ones.

• 3 important ones are:– sugars– amino acids– Nitrogen bases

sugar

Amino acid

Nitrogen base

macromoleculesmacromolecules• Living organisms use 4 Living organisms use 4

types of macromolecules types of macromolecules for most cellular functions.for most cellular functions.– CarbohydratesCarbohydrates– ProteinsProteins– LipidsLipids– Nucleic AcidsNucleic Acids

Computer generated image of a protein

Condensation reactionsCondensation reactions

• Condensation (dehydration) reactions link Condensation (dehydration) reactions link monomers into polymers.monomers into polymers.

• Hydrolysis breaks polymers into building blocks Hydrolysis breaks polymers into building blocks (monomers).(monomers).

Monosaccharides (simple Monosaccharides (simple sugars)sugars)

• Linked to form Linked to form disaccharides.disaccharides.– Ex: lactose, Ex: lactose,

sucrose, maltose.sucrose, maltose.

• Glucose is Glucose is CC66HH1212OO66..

• IsomersIsomers have have same formula but same formula but different shape.different shape.– Ex: Fructose & Ex: Fructose &

galactosegalactose

Glucose

CarbohydratesCarbohydrates• Composed of sugars.Composed of sugars.• Only: C,H, and O.Only: C,H, and O.• Hydrogen to Oxygen ratio is Hydrogen to Oxygen ratio is

2:1.2:1.• Used for Used for structurestructure and and energy energy

storagestorage..• Most common Most common

polysaccharides:polysaccharides:– StarchStarch– Cellulose which is the most Cellulose which is the most

common carbohydratecommon carbohydrate Plant Cell Walls are made of cellulose

Amino acidsAmino acidsThe structure is a central The structure is a central Carbon atom with a Carbon atom with a hHydrogen, a carboxyl group, hHydrogen, a carboxyl group, amino group, and variable R amino group, and variable R group attachedgroup attached

Red: carboxyl, Blue: amino

polypeptidpolypeptidee

• A dipeptide is a A dipeptide is a molecule composed molecule composed of two amino acids.of two amino acids.

• Connected by a Connected by a covalent bond called covalent bond called a peptide bond.a peptide bond.

• Many amino acids Many amino acids hooked together are hooked together are called a polypeptide.called a polypeptide.

Four polypeptides of hemoglobinFour polypeptides of hemoglobin

ProteinsProteins• A protein is a A protein is a

polymer of amino polymer of amino acids.acids.

• 20 different types of 20 different types of amino acids amino acids arebfound in nature.arebfound in nature.

• Proteins are for Proteins are for structure, hormones, structure, hormones, and enzymes.and enzymes.

• Composed of Composed of N,O,C,H.N,O,C,H.

A large protein A large protein such as an such as an enzymeenzyme

Nucleic acids

• Nucleic acids include: DNA, RNA, and ATP– DNA and RNA are

the genetic material for the cell

– ATP is an energy storage molecule

Lipids• Lipids are fats

– Most lipids are hydrophobic/ nonpolar

– Lipids are used for storing large amounts of energy

– Phospholipids have a polar and nonpolar end

• These molecules form the cell membrane

Summary

• Make a 3 column chart of with a row for each of the 4 macromolecules. Put the name of the macromolecule in the first column, the monomers it is composed of in the second, and the function in the cell in the third.