Carbon has a central role in living organisms due to its ability to combine with itself and other elements in many ways. Organic compounds contain carbon and can be linked together to form polymers, which are long chains of repeating molecules. Important polymers include proteins, DNA, and synthetic polymers like plastics. Living things are primarily made of molecules containing carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur.

1. Chemistry of Life!
A quick (very quick) introduction!

2. Carbon! It’s special!
 Because of it’s very special ability to combine in
many ways with itself and other elements it has a
central role in the chemistry of living organisms!

3. Forms of pure Carbon
 Diamond (Crystalline form)
 Graphite (Many flat layers; easily slide)
 Fullerenes (Sphere shaped)
 Nanotubes (long, hollow cylinder)

4. Organic Compounds
 Organic compounds are compounds that contain
carbon.
 Originally, scientists believed that organic
compounds only had to do with living organisms.
That is no longer believed to be true.
 Many organic compounds have similar properties
in terms of melting points, boiling points, odor,
electrical conductivity and solubility.

5. Polymers!
 A long repeating chain of molecules is called a
Polymer.
 Organic compounds can be linked together to build
polymers with thousands or even millions of atoms
in one strand.
 Polymers form when chemical bonds link large
numbers of monomers (smaller molecules) in a
repeating pattern.

6. More Polymers!
 Synthetic Polymers:
 Plastics
 Glue
 Chewing Gum
 Synthetic fabric
 Natural forms of Polymers:
 Amino Acids
 Proteins
 DNA!!!
 Silk!

7. CHONPS!
 Living organisms are made of molecules consisting
largely of:
 Carbon
 Hydrogen
 Oxygen
 Nitrogen
 Phosphorus
 Sulfur