Carbon Compounds

Biology
K. Beris
Carbon Bonding and Functional Groups
Carbon atoms have 4 electrons in its outer shell
They can bond with four different elements

Functional groups
Clusters of atoms
The structural building block that determines
the characteristics of a compound
-OH, the hydroxyl group, is important to living
things
Large Carbon Molecules
In carbon compounds, molecules are built up
from smaller, simpler molecules
Monomerssimple molecules that bonds during
condensation reactions
Polymersmonomers that are bound together
Each releases OH
-
and H
+
which combine to form
water
Hydrolysisreversal of condensation reaction
Needs the addition of water to occur
Energy Currency
Life requires a constant supply of energy

ATP is a compound that contains large
amounts of energy in its overall structure
Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates are organic compounds composed of carbon,
hydrogen, and oxygen in a ratio of about 2 H atoms to 1 O
atom
Monosaccharidesa monomer of a carbohydrate
Simple sugar
Contains C, H, and O in a ratio of 1:2:1. Most common monosaccharides
are:
Glucosemain source of energy for the cell
Fructosefound in fruits
galactosefound in milk
These sugars are isomers same chemical formula but
different structural forms
Disaccharides and Polysaccharides
When 2 monosaccharides combine to form a
disaccharide
Examples: (write these in on your notes)
Sucrose
Maltose
Lactose
When 2 or more disaccharides combine, they
will form a polysaccharide
Animals store glucose in the form of glycogen
Plants store glucose as starches
Cellulose is another polysaccharide found in plant cell
walls
Proteins
Organic compounds composed of C, H, O, and N
Formed by the linkage of monomers
Skin and muscles of animals and many of the catalysts
found in plants and animals are made of proteins
Amino acidsthe 20 amino acids are the monomer building blocks for
proteins
They share a basic structure
A central carbon atom covalently bonded to a hydrogen atom
A carboxyl group, -COOH
An amino group, -NH2
A group that varies from amino acid to amino acid
Dipeptides and polypeptides
Dipeptide2 amino acids bond to each other, one at a
time to form a dipeptide

Polypeptideamino acids can bond to each other one at
a time forming a very long chain
Enzymeenzyme reactions depend on a physical fit
between the enzyme molecule and its substrate, the
reactant being catalyzed
An enzyme may fail to work if its environment is changed
pH or temperature change can change the shape of the
enzyme or substrate
Lipids
Lipids are large nonpolar organic molecules that do not
dissolve in water

Have a higher ratio of C and H to O atoms than
carbohydrates do

Fatty acidsunbranched carbon chains that make up
most lipids
Two ends have very different properties
Hydrophilicwater lovingattracted to water molecules
Hydrophobicwater fearingdoes not interact with water
Lipids
Complex lipids
Triglyceridesmade up of 3 molecules of fatty acids
joined to one molecule of alcohol glycerol
Phospholipidshave three fatty acids joined by a
molecule of glycerol
2 layers make up the cell membrane
Waxa long fatty acid chain joined to a long alcohol
chain
Highly waterproof
In plants, forms a protective coating on the outer surfaces
In animals forms protective layers
Lipids, cont.
Steroidssteroid molecules are composed of
4 fused C rings with various functional
groups attached to them
Make up animal hormones and cholesterol
Nucleic Acids
Very large and complex organic molecules that store
information in the cell
2 types
DNAcontains information that is essential for almost all cell
activities
RNAstores and transfers information that is essential for
the manufacturing of proteins
Both DNA and RNA are polymers, composed of
thousands of linked monomers
Nucleotides are made of a phosphate group, a five-
carbon sugar, and a ring-shaped nitrogenous base
Name of
Macromolecule
Carbohydrate Proteins Lipids Nucleic Acids
Picture of the
molecule
Elements in the
molecule
Carbon
Hydrogen
Oxygen

Carbon
Hydrogen
Oxygen
Nitrogen
Sulfur
Carbon
Hydrogen
Oxygen

Carbon
Hydrogen
Oxygen
Nitrogen
Phosphorus
Categories or
buildinblocks

Table sugar
Malt Sugar
Milk sugar
Monosaccharides

Disaccharides
Sucrose=glucose+ fructose
Maltose=glucose+ glucose
Lactose=glucose+ galactose
Amino acids glycerol and fatty
acids
Nucleotides
Examples Glucose, fructose, lactose,
galactose, glycogen, starch,
cellulose
Hair, skin, spider
webs, feathers,
turtle shells,
fingernails, bones
Cell membranes
Waxes
Oils
Cholesterol
DNA and RNA
Examples of
food sources
Sugar, cake, pie, breads,
pasta, rice, potatoes, candy,
soda pop
Peanut butter,
meat, beans
Vegetable oil
Peanut oil
Lard
butter