Test 2 Study Page • Summary

Carbon

Carbon (C) is a basic element that is part of all organic compounds. The main characteristic of
carbon is its capacity to form stable links with other carbon atoms, which makes the existence
of large compound chains possible, and to which other bio-elements can join. In nature, it can
be found as amorphous and crystalline carbon, in graphite or diamond shapes.

The carbon atom has six

electrons, two in the lower
energy level and four in the
higher level.

Because of this structure, carbon can form covalent links with

itself (C - C) and with other elements sharing its four electrons.
It can also form big and stable chains of carbon atoms that can
be linear, branched, or have a ring shape.

The (C - C) links can happen through:

simple unions double unions triple unions

CH3 H CH3 H

Isomers are compounds with the same molecular formula, C C

different structures, and with different properties.
C C
H3C H H H3C

Most of the substances that we use in our daily life are formed by carbon compounds: paper, wood,
medicines, and plastics in their various forms.

Living organisms are made of carbon compounds like proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and vitamins.

Pathway to Science 10
Name: Date:

Organic compounds of carbon

Alkanes Hydrocarbons with simple links. Methane

Hydrocarbons: compounds Hydrocarbons with one or more double links.

Alkenes
with hydrogen and carbon Ethane

Hydrocarbons with at least a triple link.

Alkynes
Butane

Alcohol They contain a hydroxyl group (-OH).

Instead of the hydroxyl group it contains

Ether
Oxygenated: compounds that a radical alkane.
have oxygen and carbon.
Aldehydes They contain a carbonyl group (-CHO).

These have a group (-C--O)

Ketones
in an intermediate position.

Besides nitrogen, there are one, two or three

Amines
hydrogens. Ammonia

Amides The carboxyl group is substituted

Nitrogenous; compounds by the amino group.
with nitrogen and 5 electrons
in the most extreme level Nitriles Include the cyano group.

The nitrous group forms part

Nitro composed
of its molecular structure.
 Test 2 Study Page • Summary
Biomolecules

They are responsible for keeping the shape and structure of the body; they are a source of energy that
supports energetic and vital functions, regulates the activity, and controls the requirements of matter,
energy, and information for the organism.

Inorganic biomolecules

Water: Universal Mineral salts: Part of

solvent, where all the organism structures;
metabolic reactions they regulate processes
occur. The amount of of cellular metabolism
water depends on: like:

Physiological Osmosis: pH regulation: Cations:

Organisms’ age:
activity: high Movement of Concentration of Involved in
Less water
activity, muscles solvents through hydrogen ions in biological
requirement with
and nerves need a semipermeable the internal part of processes,
more age
more water membrane an organism Na, K, and Ca

Pathway to Science 10
Name: Date:

Organic biomolecules:
related with structure, function and metabolism

Proteins: Carbohydrates:
Lipids: Nucleic acids:
High molecular weight, Energy deposits
Energy reserve Proteins that carry
50% of total weight of for cells
hereditary information.
an organism

Proteins Carbohydrates Lipids Nucleic acids

Structural: Monosaccharides: Triglycerides: saturated DNA: sugar

Construction material. simple sugars, and non-saturated fat, deoxyribose and
fructose oils, and butter bases: Adenine,
Transport: Movement cytosine
of substances Disaccharides: group Phospholipids: Guanine and thymine.
of monosaccharides, components of Two rolled chains,
Catalyst: enzymes, lactose cell membrane double helix
activate chemical
reactions Polysaccharides: Steroids: sexual RNA: Adenine,
macromolecules, hormones cytosine, guanine,
Contractible: glycogen and uracil.
Muscular contraction One single chain
Wax: Non soluble
substances, bees’ wax
Coagulation: Blood
coagulation process

Defense:
Immunoglobulins,
defense mechanisms
 Test 2 Study Page • Review
1. Complete the following sentences about the characteristics of carbon. Use the words from the boxes.

isomer similar organic diamond different six stable

a. Carbon is the basic element of all the compounds.

b. Carbon forms links with other elements.

c. Carbon has electrons.

d. is the hardest element made up of carbon.

e. are compounds with molecular formula but

structure and properties

2. Look at the formulas and choose the correct answer

H H3C COOH H3C H
H H H H H
C C C C O
H
H H H
H COOH

Simple link Simple link Simple link Simple link

Double link Double link Double link Double link

Triple link Triple link Triple link Triple link

Isomer Isomer Isomer Isomer

3. Match de following carbon organic compounds with their corresponding characteristic.

Compound Characteristic
Alkynes It contains a hydroxyl group
Amides Hydrocarbons with simple link
Alcohol It contains an amino group
Alkanes Butane
Amines It contains a carbonyl group
Aldehydes Include a cyano group
Nitriles Ammonia

Pathway to Science 10
4. Read the following sentences about organic and inorganic compounds. Write T if it is true, or F
if it is false.

a. Inorganic biomolecules are water and carbohydrates.

b. The amount of water in an organism depends on the activity and age of the organism.

c. Osmosis is the movement of solvents through a permeable membrane.

d. Carbohydrates are reserves of energy.

e. Nucleic acids contain genetic information.

f. Proteins are the largest organic biomolecule.

g. Water regulates cellular metabolism.

5. Observe the pictures and identify the name and function of each one of them.