Carbon and Organic

Compounds
The chemistry of Life

Carbon Atom
C carbon atomic structure makes it
the perfect compound for large
molecules

Carbon Bonds
Carbon forms covalent bonds with
Hydrogen and Oxygen really well to
make stable compounds

Organic Compounds
A compound made up of C, H, O that
makes up living things.
We are carbon based life forms.
These are the compounds compatible
with life.
Organic = Life

Functional Groups
A group of atoms attached to a large
molecule which changes the
characteristic of the
molecule
Hydroxyl OH- makes compounds polar
Carboxyl C=O-OH
Amino NH2
Phosphate P=OO(OH)2

Understanding Large
Molecules
10 1000s of atoms
Made up of repeated subunits called
monomers
A molecule made up of 2 or more
monomers is called a polymer

Reactions needed to make and

breakdown molecules
Condensation Reaction(Dehydration
Synthesis)
When 2 molecules get put together a
water molecule must be removed

Reactions cont.
Hydrolysis when a polymer is
broken down, water must be added
back into the molecules

How do cells have the energy to do this?

ATP - Adenosine Triphosphate

Energy currency for all cells

Every cell can use it

It is quick and easy for the cells to use and
recycle
All chemical reactions use this type of energy

Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates
Compound

Functio Structure
n

Examples

monosacchar Energy
ide

Glucose energy for

life

Disaccharide

Fructose

Energy

Polysaccharid Energy
e
Structur
es

Starch
Cellulose

Lipids
Compoun
d

Function

Saturated

Stored
Energy

Un
saturated

Structure
H H H H H H
H C C

C C C C H

H H H H H H

examples
triglycerid
es
Wax
Hormones

Proteins
Amino
Acids

Function

20 different

Structures
Enzymes

Structure
subunit
H
NH2 C
COOH
R

Polymer

Examples

Chains of
Amino Acids

Muscle, hair,
skin

2 200 in
length

Nucleic Acids
Compound

Function

Structure
subunit

Polymer

DNA

all
instructions
to make all
organisms

Nucleotide

Double helix of DNA

nucleotides

Nitrogen
Base
PO3

RNA

Makes
proteins

Example
s

mRNA,
tRNA,
rRNA
Single helix

Enzymes
1. Protein Molecule
2. They assist chemical reactions
they are protein catalysts

What is a catalyst?
Any substance that lowers the
activation energy necessary to get a
reaction going!

 What is unique about an enzyme is

that it is not used up in the process
of the reaction.
If enzymes did not exist, most
chemical reactions in your body
would occur to slowly to be useful.

How do enzymes work?

1.Enzyme has a specific
shape

2. Substrate
binds to
active site

3. Enzyme
changes
substrate and
produces new
substances

Facts about enzymes

1. Enzymes can do one thing and one
thing only.
2. Are never altered or used up in the
reaction
3. They speed up the rate of a reaction
by bringing compounds together.
4. They are named for the substrate
they work with sucrase breaks
down sucrose

 Life would be impossible without

enzymes!
If you are missing one
enzyme you have may
have a chronic life long
condition.

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