Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry

Study Notes

Organic Chemistry

Study of carbon-containing compounds and their properties
Typically involves the study of carbon-based molecules, including:
- Hydrocarbons (e.g. methane, ethane)
- Functional groups (e.g. alcohols, carboxylic acids)
- Biomolecules (e.g. carbohydrates, proteins)
Key concepts:
- Isomerism (structural and stereoisomerism)
- Functional group reactions
- Synthetic methods (e.g. substitution, elimination)

Biochemistry

Study of the chemical processes and substances that occur within living organisms
Involves the study of biomolecules, including:
- Carbohydrates (e.g. sugars, starches)
- Proteins (e.g. enzymes, hormones)
- Lipids (e.g. fats, oils)
- Nucleic acids (e.g. DNA, RNA)
Key concepts:
- Metabolic pathways (e.g. glycolysis, citric acid cycle)
- Enzyme kinetics and regulation
- Biochemical reactions and equilibria

States of Matter

Solid:
- Particles are closely packed and have a fixed position
- Has a fixed shape and volume
Liquid:
- Particles are close together but can move past each other
- Takes the shape of its container
Gas:
- Particles are widely spaced and can move freely
- Has neither a fixed shape nor volume
Plasma:
- Ionized gas, where atoms are broken down into ions and free electrons
- Found at high temperatures and in stars

Atoms, Elements, and Compounds

Atom:
- Smallest unit of matter that retains the properties of an element
- Consists of protons, neutrons, and electrons
Element:
- Substance that consists of only one type of atom
- Cannot be broken down into simpler substances
Compound:
- Substance that consists of two or more different elements
- Has properties different from its constituent elements
Key concepts:
- Atomic number (number of protons in an atom)
- Mass number (number of protons and neutrons in an atom)
- Isotopes (atoms of the same element with different mass numbers)

Stoichiometry

Study of the quantitative relationships between reactants and products in chemical reactions
Key concepts:
- Mole (unit of amount of substance, 6.022 x 10^23 particles)
- Molar mass (mass of one mole of a substance)
- Empirical and molecular formulas
- Stoichiometric ratios and calculations
- Limiting reagents and percentage yield

Organic Chemistry

Carbon-containing compounds are studied in organic chemistry, including hydrocarbons, functional groups, and biomolecules.
Hydrocarbons like methane and ethane are examples of organic compounds.
Functional groups like alcohols and carboxylic acids are important in organic chemistry.
Biomolecules like carbohydrates, proteins, and nucleic acids are also studied in organic chemistry.
Isomerism, including structural and stereoisomerism, is a key concept in organic chemistry.
Functional group reactions and synthetic methods like substitution and elimination are important in organic chemistry.

Biochemistry

Biochemistry is the study of chemical processes and substances in living organisms.
Biomolecules like carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids are studied in biochemistry.
Carbohydrates like sugars and starches are important biomolecules.
Proteins like enzymes and hormones are crucial in biochemistry.
Lipids like fats and oils are also studied in biochemistry.
Nucleic acids like DNA and RNA are important biomolecules.
Metabolic pathways like glycolysis and the citric acid cycle are key concepts in biochemistry.
Enzyme kinetics and regulation are important in biochemistry.
Biochemical reactions and equilibria are also studied in biochemistry.

States of Matter

Solids have closely packed particles with a fixed position, shape, and volume.
Liquids have particles close together but able to move past each other, taking the shape of their container.
Gases have widely spaced particles that can move freely, with neither a fixed shape nor volume.
Plasmas are ionized gases, where atoms are broken down into ions and free electrons, found at high temperatures and in stars.

Atoms, Elements, and Compounds

Atoms are the smallest units of matter that retain the properties of an element.
Atoms consist of protons, neutrons, and electrons.
Elements are substances that consist of only one type of atom.
Elements cannot be broken down into simpler substances.
Compounds are substances that consist of two or more different elements.
Compounds have properties different from their constituent elements.
Atomic number is the number of protons in an atom.
Mass number is the number of protons and neutrons in an atom.
Isotopes are atoms of the same element with different mass numbers.

Stoichiometry

Stoichiometry is the study of quantitative relationships between reactants and products in chemical reactions.
One mole is a unit of amount of substance, equivalent to 6.022 x 10^23 particles.
Molar mass is the mass of one mole of a substance.
Empirical and molecular formulas are used to describe the composition of substances.
Stoichiometric ratios and calculations are important in stoichiometry.
Limiting reagents and percentage yield are key concepts in stoichiometry.

Description

Explore the world of carbon-containing compounds and chemical processes in living organisms. Learn about hydrocarbons, functional groups, biomolecules, and key concepts in organic chemistry and biochemistry.