Carbon and Macromolecules Notes
 Organic Chemistry: Study of Carbon Containing
Molecules
 ORGANIC is derived from ORGANISM because all
living things are made up of carbon based compounds
Simplest Organic Compounds: Hydrocarbons
 Hydrocarbons are made up of ONLY Hydrogen and
Carbon
 Simplest Hydrocarbon: Methane: CH4
 Hydrocarbons are the result of Carbon having four
unpaired valence electrons
 Therefore, Carbon prefers to bond with four other
atoms/compounds
 This results in a large variety of compounds from
methane to complex carbohydrates.
 Other Common Hydrocarbon Compounds:
o Propane
o Butane
o Octane (Gasoline Pump)
Other Molecules with Carbon: Macromolecules
 Carbohydrates: Contain sugars of the skeletal formula
CH2O (example: Glucose is C6H12O6).
 Lipids: Contain Glycerol and Fatty Acids (Which are
hydrocarbons)
 Proteins: Contain a Central Carbon surrounded by
COOH, NH2, H and R Group
 Nucleic Acids: Contain a Sugar with Carbon
surrounded by a Phosphate Group and a Nitrogen Base
Carbohydrates:
 Monomers: Simple Sugars: Glucose, Fructose,
Galactose, and Lactose
 Examples: Starch, Glycogen (Animal Cell),
Starch/Cellulose (Plant Cell)
 Function in the Cell: Energy Storage, Support, CellCell Interactions
Lipids:
 Monomers: Glycerol and Fatty Acids
 Examples: Butter, Fat, Peanut Butter, Oils
 Function in the Cell: Energy Storage, Insulation,
Protection
Proteins:
 Monomers: Amino Acids
 Bond linking monomers: Peptide
 Examples: Enzymes (specific proteins to speed up
biological reactions), Hemoglobin (Helps transport
oxygen to the blood
 Function in the Cell: Structural Support for Tissues
and Cells, Aid in Metabolism
Nucleic Acids:
 Monomers: Nucleotides (Sugar, Phosphate, Nitrogen
Base)
 Bond linking monomers: Sugar-Phosphate and
Hydrogen (between bases)
 Examples: DNA and RNA
 Function in the Cell: Genetic Code