Section 2-3

Organic Compounds

Organic Compounds

• Any molecule containing carbon

• Carbon skeletons may vary in length

• Skeletons may be branched or unbranched

Organic Compounds

• Skeletons may have double bonds, which can vary in location. These are called isomers.

• Skeletons may be arranged in rings.

Types of Organic Compounds

1. Carbohydrates– Monomers (single unit sugar) – monosaccharides

• Ex: Glucose and Fructose

– Disaccharides – two single sugars• Ex: Lactose

– Polysaccharides – many monosaccharides linked together

• Ex: Starch (energy storage in plants), glycogen (energy storage in animals), and cellulose (gives plants strength and rigidity)

Carbohydrates cont.

• Functional Groups present: OH and C=O

• Function – main source of energy for all living things

2. Fats or Lipids

• Made of mainly carbon and hydrogen

• Mostly nonpolar – will not dissolve in water

• Function: Energy storage, cushions vital organs, and insulates the body

3. Nucleic Acids

• Monomers – nucleotides

• Functional groups – PO4

• Function – Heredity

• Examples – DNA and RNA

4. Proteins• Monomer – amino acids

• Functional Groups: NH2 and COOH

• Function – regulate chemical reactions in cells, help fight disease, transport substances into and out of cells, and provide structure for tissues and organs.

• Examples : Enzymes