Functional Groups

• What is the focus of organic chemistry?

  The study of hydrocarbons and their derivatives
• What does inorganic chemistry study?

  All substances other than hydrocarbons and their derivatives
• How many valence electrons does carbon have?

  4 valence electrons
• What is required for carbon to achieve an octet of valence electrons?

  4 additional electrons need to be shared by other atoms
• How many covalent bonds must carbon form to meet its bonding requirement?

  4 covalent bonds
• How can carbon meet its requirement for 4 bonds?

  By bonding to 4 other atoms, 3 other atoms, or 2 other atoms with specific bond types
• What types of bonds can carbon form when bonding to 3 other atoms?

  2 single bonds and 1 double bond
• What types of bonds can carbon form when bonding to 2 other atoms?

  Either 2 double bonds or a triple bond and a single bond
• What are functional groups in organic molecules?

  Groups of atoms that involve bonds between carbon and other elements
• What bonds are involved in functional groups?

  Bonds between C & O, C & N, C & S, and C & PO$_4^{3-}$
• What role do functional groups play in organic molecules?

  They are responsible for the properties, reactions, and physiologic role of those molecules
• What can be expected from simple molecules that contain the same functional group?

  They can be expected to react in similar ways
• Can more complicated chemical molecules contain functional groups?

  Yes, they may contain more than one functional group
• What is the largest source of dietary calories for most of the world’s population?

  Carbohydrates
• What is the general formula for carbohydrates?

  C$_n$(H$_2O$)$_n$
• What types of compounds can carbohydrates be classified as?

  Monosaccharides, disaccharides, oligosaccharides, and polysaccharides
• What is a polyhydroxyaldehyde?

  A type of carbohydrate that contains multiple hydroxyl groups and an aldehyde group