Organic chemistry is the study of carbon-based molecules

Inorganic Molecule

Organic Molecule

Carbon forms 4 covalent bonds with other atoms!

Why is this important to you?

So as a scientifically literate person you can intelligently judge this…

Carbon Skeleton – long chain of carbon atoms to which other atoms can bind

Functional Group – part of the molecule that gives the molecule its function (determines how the molecule will interact)

Hydrocarbons – organic molecules composed of only carbon and hydrogen

Organic Molecules

Large organic molecules are called macromolecules

single unit - monomer

many monomers linked together make a polymer

4 Kinds of Organic Molecules

1. Carbohydrates2. Lipids3. Proteins4. Nucleic Acids

Carbohydrates

-a chain of carbon atoms to which hydrogen and oxygen atoms are attached

Monosaccharides

-simplest kind of carbohydrate-consist of a single sugar molecule

Glucose (C6H12O6) – sugar molecule that is the main source of energy

Disaccharides

-two sugar molecules joined together by dehydration synthesis

Polysaccharide

-3 or more monosaccharides joined together-type of polymer

Biologically Important Polysaccharides

Starch –glucose polymer - energy storage in plants

Glycogen –glucose polymer - energy storage in animals

*Starch & Glycogen differ in their pattern of branching

Glycogen is much more branched

What happens when you eat food?

1. Break down polysaccharides (either starch or glycogen) to get glucose

2. Glucose is used by cells for energy.

3. If any glucose is left over, it will be made into glycogen and stored for later

4. Break down storage polysaccharides to get glucose when needed

Cellulose –glucose polymer -structural molecule found in plant cell walls

Chitin –glucose polymer -structural molecule in fungus cell walls and animal

exoskeletons

Animals can digest starch, but cannot digest cellulose

Certain bacteria can digest cellulose

Ex. of mutualistic relationships:cows & bacteriatermites & bacteria

alpha glucose polymer (starch)

beta glucose polymer (cellulose)