Organic Chemistry Overview

Organic Chemistry Overview

• Organic chemistry studies organic compounds, primarily those containing carbon.
• Many organic compounds originate from living things.
• Carbon's structure allows for extensive bonding with other atoms.

Carbohydrates

• Carbohydrates consist of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen in a 1:2:1 ratio.
• Sugars and starches are examples.
• Living things use carbohydrates for energy and structural support.
• Monosaccharides (simple sugars): Glucose and fructose are examples.
• Disaccharides: Two monosaccharides bonded together (e.g., sucrose, lactose, maltose).
• Polysaccharides: Large polymers of linked monosaccharides (e.g., starch, cellulose used by plants, glycogen used by animals).

Lipids

• Lipids include fats, oils, waxes, and steroids.
• Comprised mainly of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen (similar to carbohydrates, but in different ratios).
• Fats: Composed of glycerol and three fatty acids, used for energy storage and insulation. Fatty acid structure dictates fat characteristics. Animals typically have about 30 fatty acids.
• Phospholipids: Lipids containing phosphorus, key components of cell membranes.
• Steroids: Lipids with four linked carbon rings (e.g., cholesterol, hormones).
• Waxes: Organic compounds composed of fatty acids and alcohols.

Proteins

• Proteins are organic compounds containing carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and sometimes sulfur.
• Essential building blocks for living things (e.g., muscles, hair, and skin).
• Amino acids: The building blocks of proteins; 20 common amino acids.
• Peptide bonds: Covalent bonds linking amino acids.
• Proteins have diverse functions including movement, structure, biochemical control, transport, storage, and regulation.

Nucleic Acids

• Nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) are large, complex molecules composed of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and phosphorus.
• They carry genetic information.
• DNA: Deoxyribonucleic acid (nuclear and mitochondrial).
• RNA: Ribonucleic acid (mRNA, tRNA, rRNA).