Organic Chemistry Overview

The chemistry of organic compounds, which contain carbon.

Organic compounds with carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen in a 1:2:1 ratio. Used for energy.

Simplest carbohydrates, also called simple sugars.

Two monosaccharides linked together by covalent bonds.

Giant polymers made from many monosaccharides linked together.

Organic compounds including fats, oils, waxes, and steroids, containing carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen but in different ratios than carbohydrates

Fatty acids with many hydrogen bonds, typically solid at room temperature.

Fatty acids with fewer hydrogen bonds, typically liquid at room temperature.

Lipids containing phosphorus, major components of cell membranes.

Lipids composed of four linked rings of carbon atoms. Includes hormones like cholesterol.

The building blocks of proteins.

The bond that joins amino acids together.

Proteins perform diverse roles in living organisms, like movement, structure, and biochemical control.

A small molecule that can join together to form larger molecules called polymers.

A large molecule formed when many monomers link together.

A chemical reaction that builds molecules by removing water.

A chemical reaction that breaks down molecules by adding water.

Large complex molecules that carries genetic material. DNA and RNA are examples.

Carbon atoms can form up to 4 covalent bonds due to its 4 outer shell electrons.

Proteins have different shapes that determine their function, like collagen in connective tissues or hemoglobin in blood.

Carbon's ability to form four covalent bonds allows it to link with other atoms, creating the diverse and complex molecules of life.

Organic compounds made of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen in a 1:2:1 ratio, primarily used by living things for energy.

Simple sugars that are the building blocks of carbohydrates. Examples include glucose and fructose.

Saturated fats have all carbon bonds filled with hydrogen, making them solid at room temperature (like butter). Unsaturated fats have some double bonds, making them liquid at room temperature (like oil).

Lipids containing phosphorus, which are crucial components of cell membranes. They control what enters and exits cells.

Proteins are large organic molecules composed of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and sometimes sulfur. They are essential for all living organisms and play a variety of crucial roles.

Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins. They are organic compounds containing an amino group (-NH2), a carboxyl group (-COOH), and a side group that determines their identity.

A peptide bond is a covalent bond that links amino acids together to form proteins. It is formed by the joining of the amino group of one amino acid and the carboxyl group of another.

Nucleic acids are complex organic molecules composed of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and phosphorus. They are responsible for carrying and transmitting genetic information within cells.