I had rather attempt something
great and fail, than to attempt
nothing at
all and succeed!
-Robert Schuller
Chpt. 4
Carbon and the
Molecular Diversity of
Life
Water is the Universal
Medium for life… &
CARBON is the
universal element
of life …
C
…how does carbon
“get” into living
organisms??
Can organic molecules
form under conditions
estimated to stimulate
those on the early
Earth?
“lightening”
atmosphere flask
sea flask
http://www.youtube.com
/watch?v=9JaYWEsT7fU
ORGANIC
CHEMISTRY
ORGANIC
CHEMISTRY…
Key to the chemical shape &
affinity with other atoms, is in
the configuration of the
electrons
Carbon:
 Proteins, DNA,
Carbohydrates
(molecules of life)
all carbon based…
Carbon:
Proteins, DNA, Carbohydrates all
carbon based, molecules of Life.
Has tetra valence
Carbon Backbone:
BTW: this allows for large, complex
molecules
Importants of Carbon:
 Uses one or more of it valence electrons
to form covalent bonds w/ other atoms
(C,H,O,N,)
This allows atoms to link
to infinite variety of chains.
aka… TONS OF SHAPES!!
Importants of Carbon:
…how does carbon
“get” into living
organisms??
Carbon Chains:
… Form the “skeletons” of most
organic compounds
Variations in
c-skeletons contribute
to the diversity of
organic molecules:
Isomers
same molecular
formula, different structure
(different function)
C4H10
C4H10
Isomers also contribute to
the diversity of organic
molecules-
Isomers
StructuralCis-TransEnantiomers-
Isomers
Structural-
Isomers
Cis-TransCis-Trans
Double bonds do not permit free rotation of
atoms.
Cis- both “X’s” on the same side
Trans – “X’s” on the opposite side
Isomers
Enantiomers-
Isomers
Cis-Trans
ISOMER QUICK QUIZ:
CIS-TRANS
ISOMER QUICK QUIZ:
STRUCTURAL
ISOMER QUICK QUIZ:
ENANTIOMERS
Functional Groups:
they bond
to the
c-skeleton
Can you find the
“CARBON
SKELETONS”?
What is a characteristic
that these
hydrocarbons hold in
common?
HINT: polarity?
IMPORTANCE
OF
FUNCTIONAL
GROUPS
Importance of Functional
Groups
KIM KARDASHIAN
estradiol
testosterone
Functional Groups
HydroxylCarbonylCarboxylAminoSulfydrylPhosphateMethyl-
Functional Groups
Hydroxyl- makes molecule
polar (dissolves in
H2O)
- produces alcohol
-OH
Functional Groups
Confers polarity
Carbonyl- produces
ketones (made when body
breaks down fats for energy) &
O
C-C-C
O
-C
aldehydes
H
Functional Groups
Carboxyl- forms organic acids
b/c H+ is commonly
dissociated
O
-C
OH
Functional Groups
Amino- base
H
+
-N -H
H
usually acts as a
buffer
Functional Groups
Sulfhydral- stabilizes protein
structures, &
commonly
found in
vitamins
-SH
Functional Groups
Phosphate- energy storage /
energy transfer
Functional Groups
Methyl- affects shape &
function, also, affects
/
gene expression
H
-C -H
H
Summary
• Be able to recognize
isomers.
• Know the six
functional groups and
what properties they
give to molecules.