Chapter Four Reading Journal

What is an isomer and what are the three types of isomers?

An isomer is a compound that has the same ratio of molecules but a different structure. Structural isomers have different structures made out of the same molecules. Geometric isomers have the same structures with different atoms attached to the different bonding sites. Enantiomers are mirror images of each other.

What are hydrocarbons and why are their main characteristics?
Hydrocarbons are molecules made up of only hydrogen and carbon atoms. They are mostly hydrophobic because bonds between hydrogen and carbon are virtually nonpolar. Typically reactions involving hydrocarbons release a large amount of energy. These are the framework of the most complex organic molecules.

What are the functional groups?
Different groups of chemical compounds that attach to a carbon skeleton. All but methyl are hydrophilic to they increase the organic compounds’ ability to dissolve in water. The seven most important most important of these groups are: hydroxyl, carbonyl, carboxyl, amino, sulfhydryl, phosphate, and methyl.

Facts:
- Organic chemistry is deals with compounds containing carbon
- Bond angles when carbon forms four single bonds are 109.5
- Carbon has four valence electrons in its outmost shell this contributes largely to its diversity
- Isomers of a compound can have complete opposite effects of the original when reacting with living things
- ATP (cells energy source) is made of three phosphate groups bonded together










The diagram above shows that a very slight change in chemical structure can have a huge impact. These two molecules only differ in functional the group they have attached to them at one end, but they have opposite effects. One is a male hormone and one is a female hormone this is an example of form fitting function organisms are very sensitive to even slight changes in molecular structure.


Summary:
Organic compounds are those made of carbon and they are prominent in living things therefore important to the study of biology. Carbon is very diverse because it has four valence electrons. Very often organic compounds with the same molecular formula have different properties because they are arranged differently (isomers). Functional groups contribute to the properties of an organic compound because they all have properties of their own.