CH. 4

1
CH. 4

• CARBON AND
• MOLECULAR DIVERSITY

2
I. The Importance of Carbon

• A. Organic chemistry is the study of carbon
  compounds
• ALL LIVING THINGS HAVE A CARBON BACKBONE

3
Figure 4.4 Variations in carbon skeletons
4
FIGURE 4.2 SHAPES OF ORGANIC MOLECULES
5
B. Carbon atoms are the most versatile building
blocks of molecules

• A COVALENT BONDING CAPACITY OF FOUR CONTRIBUTES
  TO CARBONS ABILITY TO FORM DIVERSE MOLECULES.
• CARBON ATOMS CAN BOND TO OTHER CARBONS, FORMING
  THE CARBON SKELETON OF ORGANIC COMPOUNDS.

6
Figure 4.3 Valences for the major elements of
organic molecules
7
II. Functional Groups

• Functional groups also contribute to the
  molecular diversity of life
• FUNCTIONAL GROUP SPECIFIC, CHEMICALLY REACTIVE
  GROUPS OF ATOMS WITHIN ORGANIC MOLECULES THAT
  GIVE THE OVERALL MOLECULE DISTINCTIVE CHEMICAL
  PROPERTIES.

8
Figure 4.8 A comparison of functional groups of
female (estradiol) and male (testosterone) sex
hormones
9
Figure 4.8x2 Male and female mallards
10
Figure 4.8x3 Male and female peacocks
11
Functional groups also contribute to the
molecular diversity of life (CONTD)

• HYDROXYL GROUP (-OH) FOUND IN ALCOHOLS
• CARBONYL GROUP (CO)
• ALDEHYDE AT THE END OF OF A CARBON SKELETON
• KETONE WITHIN A CARBON SKELETON
• CARBOXYL GROUP (-COOH) WEAK ACID
• AMINO GROUP (-NH2) CAN ACT AS A BASE
• SULFHYDRYL GROUP (-SH) STABILIZES PROTEIN
  STRUCTURE
• SEE TABLE 4.1

12
Table 4.1 Functional Groups of Organic Compounds