BiochemistryLesson 1 of 3 in the course Microbial Biochemistry

Carbon-Based Molecules: Isomerism, Functional Groups, and Macromolecules

5 flashcards · 5 quiz questions · 5 match pairs · 5 fill-in sentences · English

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Summary

Organic molecules are central to the structure and chemistry of living things. This lesson introduces the elements found in cells, distinguishes organic from inorganic compounds, and explains why carbon is especially suited to building biological molecules.

Living cells contain many elements, but a small group makes up most of their dry mass. The most abundant elements are hydrogen, carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur. These are often called macronutrients because cells require them in relatively large amounts. Together, they account for about 99% of the dry weight of cells.

All flashcards

Which elements are the six major cellular macronutrients?
Hydrogen, carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur; together they account for about 99% of cell dry weight.
What is carbon fixation?
The capture of inorganic carbon, such as carbon dioxide, and its incorporation into organic compounds.
What is a functional group?
A group of atoms that gives an organic molecule characteristic chemical properties and reaction patterns.
What are enantiomers?
Molecules that are nonsuperimposable mirror images of each other.
What are the four major groups of biological macromolecules?
Carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids.

Quiz questions

  1. What distinguishes structural isomers from one another?Answer: They have the same molecular formula but different bonding sequences.
  2. How do stereoisomers differ from one another?Answer: They have the same atom connections but different spatial arrangements.
  3. What is produced as monomers join during dehydration synthesis?Answer: Water is released as a byproduct when a covalent bond forms.
  4. What chemical behavior is characteristic of a carboxyl group?Answer: It can release a hydrogen ion and often behaves as an acid.
  5. How do many lipids differ from proteins and polysaccharides?Answer: Many are not polymers made from repeating identical monomers.

Based on Microbiology by Nina Parker, Mark Schneegurt, Anh-Hue Thi Tu, Philip Lister, Brian M. Forster (OpenStax), licensed CC BY 4.0. Adapted into a summary, flashcards and quizzes.

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