Carbon CompoundsChapter 2 Section 3

Part 2

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

Functional Groups

Are a cluster of atoms that influence the characteristics of the molecule they are attached to

They also play a role in the type of reactions a molecule participates in

Most Common Functional Groups

Other Functional Groups

Other Functional Groups

Hydroxyl Group

-OH Makes molecules polar Is hydrophilic, which means “water

loving” Molecules with this group are

water soluble An alcohol is an organic compound

that has a hydroxyl group attached

Carboxyl Group

-COOH The carbon atom is attached to an

oxygen atom by a double bond and to a hydroxyl group by a single bond

Organic compounds that contain this group are called carboxylic acids

Amino Group -NH2

Found in amino acids and amines Makes compounds water

soluble and have a higher boiling point

Phosphate Group

-PO4

Organic phosphates are important in biochemistry and ecology

Inorganic phosphates are mind to obtain phosphorus for use in agriculture and industry

Most phosphates are not water soluble

Nucleic Acids Are very large & complex molecules They store & transfer important

information in the cell Composed of monomers called

nucleotides 2 types:

DNA

RNA

Nucleotides

• Three parts to a nucleotide:• A 5-carbon sugar, a phosphate

& a nitrogenous base

DNA

Deoxyribonucleic Acid 2 strands Composed of 4 types of nucleotides &

a sugar-phosphate backbone Contains all the information that

determines the characteristics of an organism

RNA

Ribonucleic Acid 1 strand Composed of 4 nucleotides & a sugar-

phosphate backbone Stores and transfers information

from DNA to make proteins They also act as enzymes

RNA vs DNA

Proteins Are composed mainly of carbon,

hydrogen, oxygen, & nitrogen They are made up of monomers known

as amino acids There are 20 different amino acids Amino acids are connected to each other

with peptide bonds Control the rate of reactions and regulate

cell processes Important in cell structures and

transportation of disease fighting substances in or out of cells

Amino Acids All 20 amino acids share a basic

structure

Dipeptides

2 amino acids hooked together by a peptide bond

Formed through a condensation reaction

Polypeptides

Are amino acids in really long chains

Proteins are often made of 1 or more polypeptides

Because they are so big, they fold into special forms: Primary Secondary Tertiary Quaternary

Protein Structures