moleculesof life- doctor jade（moleculesof生活——医生玉）.docVIP

Molecules of Life Most of the molecules of life are carbon based. Carbon based molecules are termed organic compounds and are unique to living systems with the exception of CO2 and carbides. Carbon is necessary for life. It is electroneutral that is it never looses nor gains electrons. It always shares or forms covalent bonds. Carbon is able to form 4 covalent bonds with other elements or with itself since it has 4 electrons in its outermost shell. This makes each carbon atom a connecting point from which another molecule can branch in four directions. Each C is like an intersection from which an organic molecule can branch off in up to 4 directions. Since carbon can bind to itself it has the capacity to construct endless numbers of carbon skeletons varying in size and branching patterns. The simplest organic compounds are the hydrocarbons. These organic molecules are comprised of a C skeleton bounded by 4 H atoms. The simplest hydrocarbon is CH4 or methane. It is one of the most abundant hydrocarbons in natural gas made by bacteria and the digestive tract of cows. Larger hydrocarbons are found in gasoline. Hydrocarbons are important body fuels. They make up fat molecules. They are non-polar due to the nonpolar C-H bond. The chain of carbons in an organic molecule is called a carbon skeleton. The skeleton can be branched or unbranched. It may include double or single bonds and may be straight or arranged in a ring form. Each organic molecule has a unique 3-D shape. Molecules communicate by shape. Properties of organic molecules depend on both the carbon skeleton and on the atoms attached to that skeleton. Groups of atoms participating in chemical reactions are called functional groups. Five functional groups are especially important in the body. OH- (hydroxyl), NH2 (amino), COOH (carboxyl), OPO3-2 (phosphate) and C=O (carbonyl). Any one compound may have 2 or more of these. These functional groups are found on the four main classes of molecules: carbohydrates, prote