Carbon Compounds
Chapter 2 Section 3
Part 1
Objectives
Describe the unique qualities of
carbon
Describe the structures and
functions of each of the four
groups of macromolecules
Important Vocabulary
Monomer
Polymer
Carbohydrate
Monosaccharide
Lipid
Nucleic acid
Nucleotide
Protein
Amino acid
What is Biochemistry?
It is the study of the
chemical _________ that
occur in ________________
Carbon Compounds
All living things are mainly made up of
carbon
Carbon is a very versatile element
Compounds that are mostly carbon are
called organic compounds
Compounds that don’t contain carbon
are called inorganic compounds
Important Facts About Carbon
Has 4 valence electrons
Forms 4 covalent bonds
Readily combines with itself and other
elements such as hydrogen, oxygen,
phosphorus, sulfur, and nitrogen
Forms different arrangements with
itself such as chains, branches and
rings
Can share 1, 2 or 3 electrons
Carbon Structures with Single
Bonds
Carbon Structures with
Double & Triple Bonds
Macromolecules
 Are really large organic compounds found in
living cells
 Most macromolecules are made in a process
known as polymerization, in which smaller
units called monomers are join together to
form polymers
 Monomers are the building blocks of large
carbon compounds
Like blocks, monomers can be “stacked”
together to make larger structures
 Polymers are a chains of monomers
 Macromolecules are sorted into groups based
on their chemical compositions
Condensation Reactions
Put monomers together to make
polymers by releasing water and
forming bonds between the monomers
Hydrolysis Reactions
Take polymers apart by adding water to
break bonds between the monomers
This reaction is the reverse of a
condensation reaction
4 Main Classes of Organic
Compounds
Carbohydrates
Proteins
Lipids
Nucleic Acids
Carbohydrates
Are compounds composed of carbon,
hydrogen, and oxygen in a ratio of
1:2:1
They are used as a source of energy and
structural materials
3 types of carbohydrates:
Monosaccharides
Disaccharides
Polysaccharides
Monosaccharides
A monomer of a carbohydrate
A simple sugar
Its general formula is (CH2O)n
( n is a number from 3 to 8)
Most common monosaccharides include:
glucose, fructose, & galactose
Disaccharides
A double sugar
2 monosaccharides together
Monomers of disaccharides are
monosaccharides
For example:
Fructose + Glucose = Sucrose
Polysaccharides
3 or more monosaccharides together
Complex sugar
Ex. Glycogen: stored energy molecule for
animals
Ex. Starch & Cellulose: stored energy
molecules for plants
Lipids
Are large, non-polar organic molecules
They do not dissolve in water
Include fatty acids, triglycerides,
phospholipids, steroids, waxes, and
pigments
Have a higher ratio of carbon and
hydrogen atoms to oxygen atoms than
carbohydrates
They store more energy
Fatty Acids
Hydrophilic
end
Are unbranched carbon
chains
Main component of lipids
They have a hydrophilic and
a hydrophobic end
4 types of fatty acids:
Triglycerides
Phospholipids
Saturated fat
Waxes
Steroids
Hydrophobic
end
Unsaturated fat
Triglycerides
Are composed of 3 fatty acid chains
connected to 1 molecule of glycerol
Saturated triglycerides are made of
saturated fatty acids, have high melting
points and are hard at room temp.
Ex. Butter, fat in red meat
Unsaturated triglycerides are made of
unsaturated fatty acids and are soft or
liquids at room temp.
Ex. Found in plant seeds
Triglycerides
Phospholipids
Have 2 fatty acid chains attached to
a molecule of glycerol and a phosphate
group attached to that
Our cell membranes are made of 2
layers of phospholipids, known as the
lipid bilayer
Phospholipid Bilayer
Wax
Is a type of structural lipid composed
of 1 long fatty acid chain joined to a
long alcohol chain
Wax is waterproof
It is used as a protective outer-coating
for both plants and animals
Steroids
Are composed of 4 fused carbon rings
with various functional groups attached
to them
Ex. Animal hormones & Cholesterol