bio 1115 chapter 4

Define organic chemistry.

It's the study of compounds that contain carbon.
Why is carbon so important for life?
- cell's are 70-90% water, the rest consists of carbon-based compounds
- ability to for large, complex and diverse molecules
- proteins, DNA, carbohydrates and other molecules that distinguish living matter are all composed of carbon compounds
Define electron configuration.

It determines the kinds and number of bonds an atom will for with other atoms.
how many electrons does a carbon have in its valence shell?

four
What types of bond are carbon most likely to form?

covalent bonds
define tetravalence. how does this help carbon?

Tetravalence is being able to share 4 bonds. Tetravalence of carbon makes large, complex molecules possible.
Molecular diversity arises from the variation in the _________.

carbon skeleton
What forms the skeletons of most organic molecules?

Carbon chains
Carbon chains vary in _________ and ________.

length and shape
What are hydrocarbons?

they are organic molecules consisting of only carbon and hydrogen.
Hydrocarbons can undergo reaction that release a large amount of _________.

energy
Would you expect hydrocarbons to be hydrophilic or hydrophobic? why?

hydrophobic because they are non polar covalent bonds. (carbon and hydrogen have same electronegativity)

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Card Set

bio 1115 chapter 4

Description

carbon and the molecular diversity of life.

Updated

2013-10-10T19:32:33Z

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