BSC 2010C Lecture Notes - Lecture 3: Methyl Group, Energy, Phospholipid
Document Summary
Organic chemistry- the study of carbon compounds (organic compounds) Stanley miller- helped bring nonliving synthesis of organic compounds into the context of evolution. Concluded that complex organic molecules arise spontaneously under conditions of the early earth. Electron configuration is the key to an atom"s chemical characteristics. A carbon atom usually completes its valence shell by sharing its 4 valence electrons. In organic molecules, usually forms single or double covalent bonds. The # of unpaired electrons in the valence shell generally equal to the atoms valence. Valence- the number of covalent bonds it can form (co2)- a single carbon atom is joined to 2 atoms of oxygen by double covalent bonds. Each line represents a pair of shared electrons. Molecular diversity arising from variation in carbon skeletons. Can be straight, branched, or arranged in closed rings. Hydrocarbons- organic molecule consisting only of carbon and hydrogen. Isomers- same molecular formula but different structural formula.
