Organic chemistry is the study of carbon-based compounds like those found in living things. Carbon can form diverse molecules through its ability to bond in many ways. Functional groups are parts of molecules that determine properties. The four main types of large biological molecules are carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids. Carbohydrates and lipids store energy, while proteins and nucleic acids have structural or information-storing roles like DNA. These molecules are made through polymerization of small repeating units into large complex structures essential for life.

1. The Chemistry of Life
Organic Chemistry

2. Organic Chemistry is the chemistry of Carbon!
Organic Chemistry vs. Inorganic Chemistry
C, H, N, O, P, S All Elements
Large # of Atoms Small # of Atoms
Associated with Life Associated with Environment
NaCl
Organic Chemistry

3. Carbon can form many bonds! Valence=4
Can store/release lots of energy
Carbon can build large and diverse molecules
Carbon

4. Functional Groups
Groups of atoms that bond to the
“carbon skeleton”
Determine the properties of organic
molecules
Behave consistently from one
carbon-based molecule to another

5. Functional Groups

6. Hydroxyl
-OH
Alcohols, carbohydrates
Polar
Hydrophilic

7. Carbonyl (Aldehyde)
-C=O
At the end of the carbon skeleton
Carbohydrates (Aldose sugars)
Polar
Hydrophilic

8. Carbonyl (Ketone)
-C=O
On an inside carbon of the carbon
skeleton
Carbohydrates (Ketose sugars)
Polar
Hydrophilic

9. Carboxyl
-COOH
Carbon double bonded to oxygen
and also attached to a hydroxyl
Lipids and Proteins
Polar
Hydrophilic

10. Phosphate
-OPO3
2-
Phosphorus atom surrounded by O
Lipids and Nucleic Acids, ATP
Polar
Hydrophilic

11. Amino
-NH2
Amino acids/proteins
Polar
Hydrophilic
Can act as a base by accepting a
H+ to form –NH3
+

12. Most organic molecules are macromolecules (Really Big!)
Macromolecules are formed by a process called polymerization
Biological Macromolecules

13. Large compounds are constructed by joining together
many smaller units….
Small Units: Monomers (Basic Unit)
Polymerization
Large Units: Polymers (Many Units)
Polymerization

14. Monomers Polymers
Process called Dehydration Synthesis
Many bonds formed by removing water
Energy Stored
Animation
Dehydration Synthesis

15. Polymers Monomers
Process called Hydrolysis
Bonds broken by adding water
Energy is released!
Animation
Hydrolysis

17. The compounds of life are all carbon based organic
compounds!
There are 4 groups of organic biomolecules found in all living
things:
•Carbohydrates
•Lipids
•Proteins
•Nucleic Acids
Organic Biomolecules

19. Carbohydrates
Contain Carbon, Hydrogen, and Oxygen in a 1:2:1 ratio
Building blocks (monomers) are Monosaccharides

20. Monosaccharides
Commonly called “sugars”
General formula is (CH2O)n
Contain 2 or more Hydroxyl groups, and a Carbonyl group
Aldehyde = aldose sugars
Ketone = ketose sugars

21. Very polar, hydrophilic
Straight chains or rings
Examples:
Glucose
Fructose
Galactose
Mannose
Monosaccharides

22. Isomers
Molecules that have
the same chemical
formula but different
structure

23. Disaccharides
Two monosaccharides joined by dehydration synthesis
Strong covalent bond called Glycosidic Linkage
Example:
Sucrose C12H22O11

24. Polysaccharides
Large complex carbohydrates
Made up of many repeating monosaccharides
Functions:
Energy storage
Structural molecules used to build cells/tissues

25. Energy Storage Polysaccharides
Plant Cells Animal Cells
Starch Glycogen

27. Structural Polysaccharides
Plant Cells Animal Cells
Cellulose Chitin

29. Lipids
Contain many Carbon and Hydrogen atoms and few Oxygen
Commonly called “fats”, “oils”, or “waxes”
All lipids are nonpolar and hydrophobic

30. Lipids

31. Lipids: Triglycerides (fat)
Building blocks include:
1 Glycerol a 3 carbon molecule
3 Fatty Acids long chains of Carbon with a single carboxyl
group

32. Lipids: Triglycerides (fat)
Fatty Acids:
Saturated fatty acids contain carbon to carbon single
bonds and the maximum number of H atoms
Unsaturated fatty acids contain 1 or more carbon to
carbon double bonds and fewer than the maximum
number of H atoms

33. Lipids: Triglycerides (fat)

34. Lipids: Triglycerides (fat)
3 fatty acids are
joined to glycerol by
dehydration synthesis
Strong covalent bond
called ester linkage
Fats store concentrated energy in the many C-H bonds
Also provide insulation against cold, protect internal organs,
provide waterproofing

35. Lipids: Phospholipids
Glycerol
2 Fatty acids
Phosphate group
Nonpolar tails, polar head (amphipathic)
Form bilayers that make cell membranes

36. Lipids: Phospholipids

37. Lipids: Steroids
Hormones that regulate cellular activities
Ring-shaped, not like triglycerides

38. Protein
Most abundant and diverse molecules in living cells
Contains C, H, O, and N
Carboxyl group
Amino group
Building blocks are
called amino acids
Polymers of amino
acids are called
Polypeptides

39. Protein: Amino Acids
Amino Acids:
• Building blocks of proteins
• Central carbon atom
• Hydrogen atom
• Amino group
• Carboxyl group
• R group (variable structure)

40. Diversity of R groups
Varied chemical properties
and interactions

41. Protein: Peptide Bonds
Two amino acids joined
together by dehydration
synthesis
Strong covalent bond
called peptide bond
Bond forms between C of
carboxyl group and N of
the amino group
Two amino acids joined

42. Formation of a Polypeptide

43. Protein: Polypeptide
Many amino acids joined by
peptide bonds
Primary structure (sequence of
amino acids) is determined by
genetic code
Tertiary structure results from
amino acid chain folding back
on itself. Results in globular, 3
dimensional molecule

45. Structure in organisms: collagen, connective tissue, keratin
Hormones: regulate body functions
Movement: major role in muscle contraction
Transport: through cell membrane, and O2 in blood
Enzymes: catalysts that speed up chemical reactions
Protein: Functions

46. All complex proteins can be
denatured!
Change in pH or temperature
Shape is lost
Function is lost
Function can be restored if
conditions are restored!
Protein: Denaturing

47. Contain C, H, O, N and P atoms
The primary function of nucleic acids is to
store and transmit genetic information!
Found in the nucleus of eukaryotic cells and
in the nucleoid region of prokaryotic cells
Nucleic Acids

48. The building blocks of nucleic acids
are called nucleotides
Nucleotides contain 3 parts:
1. 5 carbon sugar (pentose)
2. Phosphate group
3. Nitrogenous base
Nucleic Acids: Nucleotides
Two nucleotides are joined together by dehydration synthesis
Strong covalent bond called phosphodiester linkages link the
phosphate of one nucleotide to the sugar of the next
nucleotide.

49. Nucleic Acids: Nitrogenous Bases
Ring-shaped carbon and nitrogen molecules
Purines are double rings: Adenine and Guanine
Pyrimidines are single rings: Thymine, Cytosine, and Uracil (RNA)

51. DNA
Deoxyribonucleic Acid
Deoxyribose sugar
Bases: (A and T) (C and G)
Double Stranded
Stores genetic information in nucleus
Nucleic Acids: Polymers
RNA
Ribonucleic Acid
Ribose Sugar
Bases: (A and U) (C and G)
Single stranded

53. The Special Chemicals of Life