Organic Chemistry

• Organic Compounds


  Usually unstable/combustible; mostly non-electrolytes, few being weak electrolytes
• Hydrocarbon

  Compound with only carbon & hydrogen
• Carbon dioxide is not an organic compound
• Organic Chemistry is the study of carbon compounds; largely concerned with the general properties of organic compounds, their distinction from inorganic compounds & their chemical behavior according to the functional group/s present in them
• Polymerization


  Chemical reaction which joins monomers to make polymers
• Isomerism

  Property that is rare among organic compounds; phenomenon where more than 1 compounds have the same chemical formula but different chemical structures
• Carbohydrates

  • Monosaccharide - 1 unit; ex: glucose, fructose, galactose
  • Disaccharide - 2 units; ex: sucrose, lactose, maltose
  • Polysaccharide - complex carbohydrates; many units; ex: glycogen (carb storage in animal liver), starch (carb storage)
• Carbon can bond to other carbons; reason for the degree of structural complexity; 4 valence electrons makes 4 covalent bonds to fill its octet (can include double/triple bonds)
• Organic Compounds

  Has Carbon (C), Hydrogen (H), & Oxygen (O); many have no sharp melting points; decomposes & charring at moderately high temperatures; few of these compounds ionize because of the nature of bonds (covalent) that hold their atoms together in a molecule; insoluble in water & other polar solvents; doesn’t react instantly (may take several hours before a reacting system is attained/an organic reaction is said to be completed)
• Versatility & stability of carbon’s molecular structures provide an enormous range of properties of its compounds
• Carbohydrates


  • Primary source of energy; elemental components are Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen; simplest carbs = sugars (e.g., glucose); most end with “ose”
• Macromolecules


  Made by joining many monomers (single unit/building blocks)
• Vitamins


  Organic compounds that serve as helper molecules in various chemical reactions in the body
• Organic chemistry focuses on carbon compounds, known for their versatility and stability, providing a wide range of properties. It distinguishes organic compounds from inorganic ones based on solubility and reactivity.

  
  

  Carbon forms the basis of macromolecules like carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids, each with specific functions and elemental components.
• Proteins

  Essential to the structures & activities of life; composed of Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen, Nitrogen; body uses proteins from food to build & repair body parts and to regulate cell activities; make up 50% of your dry weight
• Lipids


  Energy-rich compounds similar to carbohydrates; composed of Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen, Nitrogen, Sulfur; include fats, oil, waxes, & cholesterol; release twice as much energy in your body as carbs gram by gram
• Amino Acids


  Monomers of proteins; each has a carboxyl group (—COOH) & an amino group (—NH)
• Fatty Acids


  Monomers of lipids; Unsaturated are liquid at room temp, Saturated are solid at room temp
• Minerals


  Elements in the form of ions in the body
• Nucleic Acids


  Very large organic molecules; composed of Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen, Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Sulfur; include DNA (double-stranded) and RNA (single-stranded)
• Water


  Makes up most of your body fluids
• Groups of proteins

  • enzymes (amylase, sucrase, maltase, lactase)
  • structural (collagen, elastin)
  • contractile (actin, myosin)
• Macromolecules are also known as Biomolecules.
• Types of Carbohydrates:

  • monosaccharide
  • disaccharide
  • polysaccharide
• Types of Lipids:

  • Unsaturated Fatty Acids
  • Saturated Fatty Acids
• Types of Nucleic Acids:

  • RNA
  • DNA
• DNA is important for transferring genetics to another person. It is a double-stranded molecule.
• RNA is used for protein synthesis. It is a single stranded molecule.
• Organic compounds typically have covalent bonds, lower melting points, and are often flammable.

  Inorganic compounds can have a variety of bonding types including ionic bonds, exhibit higher melting points, and many are not flammable.