Organic Molecules and Carbohydrates

Study Notes

Organic Molecules

Organic molecules contain carbon.
Organic molecules are abundant in living organisms.
Macromolecules are large, complex organic molecules.

Carbon Atom

Carbon has four electrons in its outer shell.
Carbon needs four more electrons to fill its outer shell.
Carbon can make up to four bonds, usually single or double bonds.
Carbon can form nonpolar or polar bonds, with polar bonds making molecules water-soluble.

Dehydration and Hydrolysis Reactions

Dehydration reactions link monomers to form polymers.
Hydrolysis breaks polymers down into monomers.

Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates consist of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms.
Formula: Cn(H2O)n.
Most carbon atoms in a carbohydrate are linked to a hydrogen atom and a hydroxyl group.
Carbohydrates are polymers composed of monomer units called monosaccharides.

Monosaccharides

Monosaccharides are the monomer units of carbohydrates.
They are the simplest sugars.
Most common monosaccharides have 5 or 6 carbons.

Disaccharides

Disaccharides are composed of two monosaccharides.
They are joined by a dehydration or condensation reaction, forming a glycosidic bond.
Disaccharides are broken apart by hydrolysis.
Examples include sucrose, maltose, and lactose.

Polysaccharides

Polysaccharides are long polymers formed by linking many monosaccharides.

Description

This quiz covers the fundamentals of organic molecules, focusing on the role of carbon, macromolecules, and the chemistry of carbohydrates. You'll explore the structure of monosaccharides and the processes of dehydration and hydrolysis. Test your understanding of these essential biological compounds.