3 2 Introduction to Organic Molecules What is

3. 2 Introduction to Organic Molecules

§ What is an Organic Compound? § A group of molecules that contain carbon-hydrogen bonds. Organic Compounds: Carbon § Carbon forms the key components of all life on Earth. Carbon can have up to 4 bonds because of its structure. § Why study organic compounds? § All living things are made of organic compounds!

§ What else makes up the recipe for Organic Compounds: The Recipe life? All types of organic compounds contain carbon, but they may also contain: § Sulfur, phosphorous, oxygen, nitrogen, and hydrogen § Along with hydrogen, carbon bonds with these elements to form an organic compound.

§ There are four major categories of Organic Compounds: Four Types: organic molecules that are found in all living things: § Carbohydrates § Lipids § Nucleic Acids § Proteins § These are large molecules known as Macromolecules

§ Each of the four types of macromolecules are made of smaller subunits called monomers. § Mono = one A monomer is a single unit of a Organic Compounds: Monomers and Polymers structure § Poly = many A polymer is a larger structure made up of monomers. § Analogy: a brick house is the polymer. What are the monomers (building blocks) of the house?

§ Dehydration Synthesis: removes Ways to Form Polymers water to join monomers to form a polymer. § It’s a chemical reaction: § Monomer + Monomer Polymer + H 2 O Dehydration Synthesis

§ Hydrolysis: breaks the bonds in a polymer by adding water to create monomers. Ways to Break Apart Polymers § It’s also a chemical reaction: § Polymer + H 2 O Monomer + Monomer Hydrolysis