BIOL 1406 Lecture 4: Biology notes Ch. 4
Document Summary
Although cells are 70 95% water, the rest consists mostly of carbon-based compounds. Carbon is unparalleled in its ability to form large, complex, and diverse molecules. Proteins, dna, carbohydrates, and other molecules that distinguish living matter are all composed of carbon. Carbon chains form the skeletons of most organic molecules. Hydrocarbons are organic molecules consisting of only carbon and hydrogen. Many organic molecules, such as fats, have hydrocarbon components. Hydrocarbons can undergo reactions that release a large amount of energy. Isomers are compounds with the same molecular formula but different structures and properties: Structural isomers have different covalent arrangements of their atoms. Geometric isomers have the same covalent arrangements but differ in spatial arrangements. Enantiomers are isomers that are mirror images of each other. Two enantiomers of a drug may have different effects. Differing effects of enantiomers demonstrate that organisms are sensitive to even subtle variations in molecules.
