ECQs Organic Chemistry
IP 101
1. What are the four most abundant elements in the body? Which of the four elements is
the basis for organic chemistry?
Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen, and Nitrogen are the most abundant elements in
the body. Oxygen is the most abundant out of the four. Carbon is the
element that is the basis for organic chemistry.
2. Why can carbon form a large number of compounds?
Carbon can form a large number of compounds because it can form up to
four bonds in its compounds. In addition, carbon can form single, double
and triple bonds with itself and other elements.
3. What are the four major carbon based molecules that can be found in the human
body?
The four major carbon based molecules that can be found in the human
body are Carbohydrates, Proteins, Lipids, and Nucleic Acids.
4. What is the purpose of carbohydrates and lipids in the human body?
Carbohydrates and lipids can be broken down into sugar molecules which
are used for ENERGY in the body.
5. What is the purpose of an enzyme and what type of organic molecule is it? What are
enzymes most like in chemistry?
Enzymes are used to speed up the rate of biochemical reactions. Enzymes
are proteins. Enzymes are most like catalysts in chemistry.
6. What are the shapes that carbon can form in both organic and inorganic chemistry?
Organic: Long-Branching Chains, Long-Straight Chains, Carbon Rings
Inorganic: Bucky Balls (Spheres), Carbon Sheets (Graphite), Diamonds, and
Nano-Tubes
7. Draw a carbon ring and a carbon chain using the short-hand notation. Indicate where
there is a carbon on both the chain and the ring.
CH
O
ECQs Organic Chemistry
IP 101
1. What are the four most abundant elements in the body? Which of the four elements is
the basis for organic chemistry?
2. Why can carbon form a large number of compounds?
3. What are the four major carbon based molecules that can be found in the human
body?
4. What is the purpose of carbohydrates and lipids in the human body?
5. What is the purpose of an enzyme and what type of organic molecule is it? What are
enzymes most like in chemistry?
6. What are the shapes that carbon can form in both organic and inorganic chemistry?
7. Draw a carbon ring and a carbon chain using the short-hand notation. Indicate where
there is a carbon on both the chain and the ring.