LIFE 120 Lecture Notes - Lecture 3: Electron Configuration, Chemical Formula, Organic Compound
Document Summary
Aside from water, living organisms consist mostly of carbon-based. A compound containing carbon is said to be an organic compound. Carbon is the most versatile atom on earth. An atom"s electron configuration determines kinds and number of bonds the atom will form with other atoms. Carbon-containing molecules can form an almost limitless array of molecular shapes w/ diff combos of single and double bonds. Carbon atoms can form diverse molecules by bonding to 4 other atoms. An atom"s electron configuration determines the kinds and number of bonds the atom will form with other atoms. In organic compounds, each carbon atom forms 4 covalent bonds with. In organic compounds, each carbon atom forms 4 covalent bonds with neighboring atoms to produce a vast array of chemical structures. A molecule"s shape is usually very important to its function. Molecular shape determines how biological molecules recognize and respond to one another.
