Chapter 4: Carbon and the Molecular Diversity of Life

Overview: Carbon: The Backbone of Life

Living organisms consist mostly of carbon-based compounds
Carbon is unparalleled in its ability to form large, complex, and diverse
molecules
Proteins, DNA, carbohydrates, and other molecules that distinguish living
matter are all composed of carbon compounds
Concept 4.: Or!anic che"istry is the study of carbon co"pounds
############# che"istry is the study of compounds that contain carbon
Organic compounds range from simple molecules to colossal ones
ost organic compounds contain hydrogen atoms in addition to carbon
atoms
Or!anic Molecules and the Ori!in of Life on $arth
!tanley iller"s classic experiment demonstrated the abiotic synthesis of
organic compounds
#xperiments support the idea that abiotic synthesis of organic compounds,
perhaps near volcanoes, could have been a stage in the origin of life
$igure %&'
Concept 4.%: Carbon ato"s can for" diverse "olecules by bondin! to
four other ato"s
#lectron configuration is the (ey to an atom"s characteristics
#lectron configuration determines the (inds and number of bonds an atom
)ill form )ith other atoms
The &or"ation of Bonds with Carbon
*ith ####### valence electrons, carbon can form four covalent bonds )ith a
variety of atoms
+his ability ma(es large, complex molecules possible
,n molecules )ith multiple carbons, each carbon bonded to four other atoms
has a tetrahedral shape
-o)ever, )hen t)o carbon atoms are .oined by a double bond, the atoms
.oined to the carbons are in the same plane as the carbons
$igure %&/
+he electron configuration of carbon gives it covalent compatibility )ith many
different elements
+he valences of carbon and its most fre0uent partners 1hydrogen, oxygen,
and nitrogen2 are the 3building code4 that governs the architecture of living
molecules
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Carbon atoms can partner )ith atoms other than hydrogen5 for example6

Carbon dioxide6 CO'

7rea6 CO1N-'2'
$igure %&7N89
Molecular Diversity 'risin! fro" Carbon (keleton )ariation
Carbon chains form the s(eletons of most organic molecules
Carbon chains vary in length and shape
$igure %&:
Hydrocarbons
############# are organic molecules consisting of only carbon and
hydrogen
any organic molecules, such as fats, have hydrocarbon components
-ydrocarbons can undergo reactions that release a large amount of energy
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Isomers
*so"ers are compounds )ith the same molecular formula but different
structures and properties
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Concept 4.+: ' few che"ical !roups are key to the functionin! of
biolo!ical "olecules
Distinctive properties of organic molecules depend on the carbon s(eleton
and on the molecular components attached to it
A number of characteristic groups can replace the hydrogens attached to
s(eletons of organic molecules
The Che"ical ,roups Most *"portant in the -rocesses of Life
############# ############# are the components of organic molecules
that are most commonly involved in chemical reactions
+he number and arrangement of functional groups give each molecule its
uni0ue properties
$igure %&7N8'
&i!ure 4..
+he seven functional groups that are most important in the chemistry of life6
-ydroxyl group
Carbonyl group
Carboxyl group
Amino group
!ulfhydryl group
Phosphate group
ethyl group
'T-: 'n *"portant (ource of $ner!y for Cellular -rocesses
One phosphate molecule, adenosine triphosphate 1#####2, is the primary
energy-transferring molecule in the cell
A+P consists of an organic molecule called adenosine attached to a string of
three phosphate groups
$igure %& 7N8%
The Che"ical $le"ents of Life: A Review
+he versatility of carbon ma(es possible the great diversity of organic
molecules
=ariation at the molecular level lies at the foundation of all biological diversity