NATS 1610 Lecture Notes - Lecture 15: Atomic Number, Hydroxy Group, Cell Nucleus
1 Feb 2018
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Lecture 15 chemistry of life: organic chemistry and macromolecules. Although the living body"s cells are 7090% water, the rest consists mostly of carbon-based compounds. Although cells are 7090% water, the rest consists mostly of carbon based compounds. Proteins, dna, carbohydrates, & other molecules found in all living matter. Each is composed of carbon atoms bonded to each other. Carbon completes its outer shell by sharing electrons with other atoms in four covalent bonds. Carbon"s importance to life arises from its versatile bonding behaviour. Single bonds versus double bonds: molecules can change shape. When carbon forms covalent bonds with four other atoms. The other atoms are arranged at the corners of an imaginary tetrahedron with bond angles near 109o. Drawn flat but they are actually three dimensional. When two carbon atoms are joined by a double bond. All bonds around the carbons are in the same plane. Variation in carbon skeletons contributes to the diversity of organic molecules.
