BIL 150 Chapter Notes - Chapter 4: Covalent Bond, Asymmetric Carbon, Nasal Congestion

• School: University of Miami
• Department: Biology
• Course: BIL 150
• Professor: Diresta Dan

Document Summary

Compounds containing carbon are said to be organic. Stanley miller"s experiment concluded that the complex organic molecules could arise spontaneously under conditions thought to mimic early earth conditions. Hydrocarbons= organic molecules consisting of only hydrogen and carbon: major components of petroleum. Isomers are compounds with same number atoms of same elements but different structures leading to different properties. Structural isomers differ in the covalent arrangements of their atoms. Enantiomers are isomers that are mirror images of each other and differ in shape due to presence of an asymmetric carbon: one that is attached to four different atoms or groups of atoms. Differences between two enantiomers have huge effects in drug industry: methamphetamine has two forms: one enantiomer is addictive drug, other enantiomer is ingredient in over-the-counter vapor inhaler for nasal congestion. Functional groups are chemical groups directly involved in chemical reactions.