Chapter 5.1 Summary

Carbon is the main ingredient to organic molecules.

Carbon
- can have 4 bonds with other atoms
-allows endless varieties of carbon skeletons to form
organic molecules
: carbon-based molecules
inorganic molecules
: non-carbon-based molecules
ex. oxygen (O2), water (H2O), ammonia (NH3)
Hydrocarbons
: composed of only carbon and hydrogen
- are important fuels
functional group
: a group of atoms within a molecule that interacts in predictable ways with other molecules
- carbon skeleton and the attached functional groups determine the properties of organic molecule
hydrophilic
: attract water molecules

Monomers and Polymers
monomers
: smaller molecular units
polymers
: long chains of monomers
Life's largest molecules:
- carbohydrates
- lipids
- proteins
- nucleic acids

Building and Breaking of Polymers
dehydration
: process of which a water molecule escapes when a monomer is added to a polymer
hydrolysis
: process of a water molecule being added to break a polymer


Concept Check

1. Draw a molecule that has a three-carbon skeleton and a hydroxyl group on the middle carbon.
   




2. Explain the connection between monomers and polymers.
   Monomers link together to make up a polymer.
3. What molecule is released during the construction of a polymer? What is this reaction called?
   A water molecule is relased during the construction of a polymer. This reaction is called dehydration reaction.
4. Draw at least three ways in which five carbon atoms could be joined to make different carbon skeletons.