BIOL 1001 Chapter : Chapter 3 Notes
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3. 1 why is carbon so important in biological molecules: organic/inorganic molecules and functional groups. Organic: consisting of a carbon skeleton boned to hydrogen atoms. Inorganic: carbon dioxide and all molecules without carbon: organic/inorganic molecules and functional groups (continued) Carbon atom is versatile has 4 electrons in an outermost shell. Can hold up to 8 electrons in outer shell. Therefore, a carbon atom can become stable by forming up to four bonds. So organic molecules can assume complex shapes, including branched chains, rings, sheets, and helices vacant spot electron: functional groups: determine the characteristics and chemical reactivity of the molecules. Less stable than the carbon backbone and more likely to participate in chemical reactions. Small organic molecules (called monomers) are joined to form longer molecules (called polymers) Monomers are joined together through dehydration synthesis (or. Condensation rxn), resulting in the loss of a water molecule (h20) from the reacting molcule: polymers are broken apart through hydrolysis ( water cutting )
