Introduction to Biochemistry

Chemistry of Carbon

Organic Molecules

• An organic molecule is a molecule that contains carbon atoms bonded to other carbon atoms and other elements as well

• Organic molecules are essential to all living organisms

• Known as the “molecules of life”

Carbon

• All organic molecules contain at least 2 carbon atoms

• Organic molecules are often larger and more complex than inorganic molecules because of carbon’s ability to form 4 covalent bonds with other atoms

Carbon Atom

Carbon Bonds

• Carbon has the ability to form single, double, and triple covalent bonds

Inorganic Molecules

• Inorganic molecules do not contain multiple carbon atoms, but they are important to living organisms

Chemistry of Carbon

• Carbon atoms tend to bond with other carbon atoms which gives carbon the ability to form chains of unlimited length

Chemistry of Carbon

Organic Molecule Elements

• In addition to carbon, there are five other common elements found in organic molecules:

–Hydrogen

–Oxygen

–Nitrogen

–Phosphorus

– Sulfur

Classes of Organic Molecules

• Scientists have classified organic molecules into the following groups:

–Hydrocarbons

–Carbohydrates

– Lipids

–Proteins

–Nucleic Acids

Monomers and Polymers

• Organic molecules are macromolecules (large polymers) composed of smaller repeating subunits called monomers

Key Chemical Reactions

• Monomers are joined together by a chemical reaction called dehydration synthesis

• Polymers are broken down into monomers by a chemical reaction called hydrolysis

Monomers and Polymers

Class Monomer Polymer

Carbohydrates Monosaccharide Disaccharides,Polysaccarides

Lipids Fatty Acids, Glycerol

Triglycerides

Proteins Amino Acids Dipeptides, Polypeptides

Nucleic Acids Nucleotides RNA, DNAATP (not necessarily a polymer)

Carbohydrates

Lipids

Proteins

Nucleic Acids

Examples of Monomers and Polymers