5.1 Carbon is the main ingredient of organic molecules

Carbon Skeletons and Functional Groups

1.carbon has 4 electrons, and can form up 4 bonds with other atoms

2.carbon form bonds with one or more other carbon atoms producing an endless variety of carbon skeletons

3.organic molecules are carbon-based molecules

4.inorganic molecules are non-carbon-based molecules

(ex: water,oxygen)

5.carbon may also bond with atoms of other elements, such as hydrocarbons

6.functional group, group of atoms within a molecule that interacts in predictable ways with other molecule, is important in the chemistry of life

7.hydrophilic attracts water molecules

Monomers and Polymers

1.monomers built up large molecules

2.cell link monomers together into polymers

3.living cells have thousands of different polymers

4.life's large molecules: carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, nucleic acid

Building and Breaking Polymers

1.a water molecule is released each time when a monomers is added to a chain

2.cells break bonds by adding water between monom0ers

Concept Check

1. Draw a molecule that has a three-carbon skeleton and a hydroxyl group on the middle carbon. (Hint: The molecule's formula is C3H8O)

2. Explain the connection between monomers and polymers.

Polymers are long chains linked by monomers.

3. What molecule is released during construction of a polymer? What is this reaction called?

A water molecule. It's called dehydration reaction.

4. Draw at least three ways in which five carbon atoms could be joined to make different carbon skeletons.