Carbon Chemistry

Properties of Carbona. Carbon is the element found in all living

things.b. Because carbon has 4 valence electrons, it

can gain, lose or share electrons. Carbon can combine with itself and other elements in many ways.

c. It can form straight chains, branched chains and ring patterns.

Carbon Compoundsa. Carbon compounds include gases (propane), liquids (olive oil), and

solids (cotton). More than 90% of all known compounds contain carbon.

b. Organic compounds contain carbon. Organic means “of living things”.c. Hydrocarbons are made from hydrogen (H) and carbon (C). Methane

(CH4), propane (C3H8), and butane (C4H10) are all hydrocarbons.d. Polymers are very large molecules made of a chain of many smaller

molecules called monomers.

monomer – monomer– monomer – monomer – monomer = polymer

e. Organic polymers are made from living things like cotton and silk.f. Synthetic polymers are made in factories like polyester, nylon, or

plastic.

Life with Carbon

The 4 large carbon compounds (polymers) that all living things have.

a. Carbohydratesb. Proteinsc. Lipidsd. Nucleic acids

Carbohydrates

a. Monomers: simple sugarsb. Polymers: starches that are in rice, pasta,

potatoes, and bread (they are complex carbohydrates)

c. Have the elements carbon, hydrogen, and

oxygend. Carbohydrates are a source of energy that

the body used.

Large molecule that

has carbon

Proteins

a. Monomers: amino acidsb. Polymer: proteinc. Proteins build an repair body parts.

Large molecule that

has carbon

Nucleic Acids

• Monomer: nucleotide (sugar, phosphate, and nitrogen base)

• Polymer: DNA or RNA• The order of the nucleotides determines the

differences between living things.

Large molecule that

has carbon

Lipids

a. Fats (solid at room temp) and oils (liquid at room temp) are lipids

b. Stores 2 x more energy than carbohydrates.

Large molecule that

has carbon

Small Molecules that do not have carbon

But are essential to life• Water• Vitamins• Minerals• salts

6 elements that life needs:

• Carbon• Hydrogen• Oxygen• Nitrogen• Phosphorus• SulfurC.H.O.N.P.S.