1. Carbon & the MolecularCarbon & the Molecular
Diversity of LifeDiversity of Life
• All living things are made of & produce
molecules based on carbon atoms

2. MAIN POINTS to REMEMBER!
1. The structure of organic molecules
gives it some of its properties
2. The behavior of an organic molecule
is dependent on the functional groups
it has
3. You need to know the 7 functional
groups & 1 or 2 examples of each

3. Properties of CarbonProperties of Carbon
• Can covalently bond w/ 4 other atoms
• Can form ring-shaped
molecules:
In aqueous
solutions

4. *Forms single, double or triple bonds
*Forms long chains of carbon-to-carbon
molecules (hydrocarbon chains)

5. Organic CompoundsOrganic Compounds
• These are compounds that have:
1. Carbon atoms bonded to each other
and to hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen,
sulfur, phosphorous, chlorine or
fluorine (most common= CHNOPS)
2. Covalent bonds
• Can be natural (ex. sugar) or synthetic (ex.
(plastic)

6. Quick Think
• Why is carbon such a
versatile molecule?
Try to come up with at least 2 reasons

7. Origin of organic molecules
• 1953 – (just 55 years ago!) Stanley
Miller – was able to
make organic
compounds in the lab
from inorganic molecules
found on earth (water,
ammonia, etc)
• Showed that the origin of
organic compounds was
possible on early earth

8. Quick Think
•What is the significance
of the work done by
Miller?
Try to think of the themes of biology
(see your student handbook)

9. Form & FunctionForm & Function
• Shape often determines chemical or physical
characteristics
• Isomers are compounds with the same
elements & number of atoms, but different
structures
- Examples:
mirror-images
=enantiomers

10. Asymmetric carbons
• Carbons attached to 4 different atoms
or groups of atoms

11. X X
X
X
Geometric isomers…differ in their
arrangement around a double bond
cis molecule
because the 2
variables, X, are
on the same side
trans molecule
because the 2
variables, X, are
on the opposite
side

12. Structural isomers…differ in their
covalent partners
All are different arrangements of the
same atoms

13. Important Examples of Structural
Isomers
• Glucose
• Fructose
• Galactose
• All have chemical formula C6H12O6
glucose

14. •Each type of organic molecule
has a unique three-dimensional
shape that defines its function in
an organism
–The molecules
of your body
recognize one
another based
on their shapes

15. Quick Think
• Research suggests that side effects
from Ritalin, the drug used to treat
attention deficit disorder, may be
caused by contamination of
enantiomers. What are enantiomers
and why might enantiomers of the
molecules in Ritalin pose a problem to
the body?

16. Functional Groups
In addition to
geometric shape,
properties of
organic
molecules
depend on
functional
groups, groups
of atoms
attached to a
carbon skeleton

17. Functional Groups
• Usually found at end of carbon
chain or regularly interspersed
‘R’ represents any
variation of a
hydrocarbon chain
‘R’ represents any
variation of a
hydrocarbon chain

18. Functional
Groups –
know these!
Phosphate group

19. Hydroxyl group
• Important
properties:
– Alcohols
– Polar because O
is electronegative
– Attracts water
– Hydrocarbon
chain with –OH
functional group

20. Carbonyl
• Ketone – if C is within the
hydrocarbon skeleton
• Aldehyde - if C is at the
end of the skeleton
• Ketones and
aldehydes may be
structural isomers of
each other, and have
very different
properties

21. Carboxyl
• Carboxylic acids
• A source of hydrogen ions
• Strongly polar so it generally ionizes

22. Amino
• Amines
• Strongly polar - acts as a base (will
accept hydrogen ions)
• Usually ionized (positive)

23. Sulfhydryl
• Thiols
• Help stabilize the 4-D structure of
proteins by forming a disulfide bond
(covalent)
Amino
acid
cysteine

24. Phosphate group
• Organic phosphates
• Makes the molecule it is a part of
negative (an anion) because it ionizes
in water
• Can transfer energy between organic
molecules

25. Quick Think
• What 2 groups are found in amino
acids?

26. Functional Group Dice
Directions: Form groups of 4
1 person is the judge and scorer for round 1
Other 3 players take turns rolling their dice and
giving an answer
If correct with notes (judge decides), 1 pt
If correct without notes, 2 pts.without notes, 2 pts.
After 1 round, new judge
All players take a turn as the judge