Organic Chemistry: Carbon and Hydrocarbons

Carbon in Living Things

• Carbon is a crucial molecule for all living things, with its unique properties making it the central focus of organic chemistry.
• A carbon atom has six protons and an outer shell of four electrons.

Carbon-Hydrogen Bonds

• Carbon bonds with hydrogen to form covalent bonds, where the carbon and hydrogen atoms share a pair of electrons.
• Molecules with many carbon-hydrogen bonds are classified as hydrocarbons.

Other Elements in Organic Molecules

• Nitrogen, sulfur, and oxygen often bond with carbon in organic molecules found in living organisms.

Carbon-Containing Molecules in Food

• Carbon-containing molecules come from food, which is the primary source of energy and nutrients for living things.
• Some organisms, like animals, obtain carbon-containing molecules by consuming other living things (e.g., plants or animals).
• Other organisms, like plants, can produce their own food through photosynthesis or other mechanisms.

Importance of Carbon in Organisms

• Carbon atoms are essential components of carbohydrates, proteins, nucleic acids, and lipids, which are the structural materials of all living things.
• These biomolecules are crucial for the structure, function, and growth of organisms.