BIOLOGY CH.4

branch of chem.. that specializes in the study of carbon compounds

the belief in a life force outside the jurisdiction of physical and chemical laws

made synthetic urea; challenged vitalism

Help bring the nonliving (abiotic) synthesis of organic compounds

versatility or carbon that makes large, complex molecules possible

• org. molecules consisting of only carbon and hydrogen
• Major component of petroleum (fossil fuel)
• Can undergo reactions that release large amount
• of energy

compounds that have the same number of atoms of the same elements but diff. structures and hence. Diff. properties

• differ in the covalent arrangements of their
• atoms

• have the same covalent partnerships, but they
• differ in their spatial arrangements
• cis- isomers: the x’s are both on the same side
• trnas- isomers: the x’s are on opposite sides

isomers that are mirror images of each other

-OH

CO

COOH

NH2

SH

OPO4-2