Biomolecules and Organic Chemistry

Key Concepts

Biomolecules: Organic molecules composed of carbon-to-carbon or carbon-to-hydrogen bonds.
Organic Molecules: Include methane as a simple example; characterized by carbon's versatility in bonding.

Versatility: Carbon can bind with hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorus, sulfur.
Self-Bonding: Capable of forming chains, branch chains, ring structures, and double bonds.
Carbon Skeleton: The backbone or skeleton of biomolecules, determining their shape.

Defined as specific groups of bonded atoms with consistent chemical properties and reactions.
Examples of Functional Groups:
- Hydroxyl Group: Forms ethanol when attached to a carbon skeleton.
- Carboxyl Group: Forms fatty acids when attached to a carbon backbone.
- Amino Group: Combines with carboxyl group to form amino acids.
- Sulfhydryl Group: Not detailed in this transcript.
- Phosphate Group: Not detailed in this transcript.
Notation: 'R' denotes attachment point to carbon skeleton.

Note: The discussion of these classes will be covered in further tutorials.