what part does carbon play in the structure of biological molecules? course hero

by Mrs. Itzel Bahringer DDS 5 min read

The unique properties of carbon make it a central part of biological molecules. With four valence electrons, carbon can covalently bond to oxygen, hydrogen, and nitrogen to form the many molecules important for cellular function. Carbon and hydrogen can form either hydrocarbon chains or rings.

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What is the role of carbon in biology?

Question 6 2.5 out of 2.5 points What part does carbon play in the structure of biological molecules? Selected Answer: carbon forms their backbone …

Which of the following molecules contain carbon?

Mar 05, 2019 · A carbohydrate is an organic molecule containing carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. Common examples include sugars, starches, and cellulose. Carbohydrates are the primary energy source for living things. Carbohydrates are synthesized by different organisms, such as algae and plants, during photosynthesis.Carbohydrates also provide the physical framework of biological …

Why is the structure of biological molecules important?

Chapter 5: The Structure and Function of Large Biological Molecules 5.1 Macromolecules are polymers, built from monomers Carbohydrates, proteins, nucleic acids, all except lipids- are chain-like molecules called polymers. In addition to forming polymers, some monomers also have other functions of their own. Each class of polymer is made up of different types of monomers, the …

Why are carbon atoms used to make complex molecules?

Oct 16, 2015 · View Test Prep - WEEK 2 QUIZ 2 from SCI 115 at Strayer University, Orlando. Review Test Submission: Quiz 2 SKIP TO COURSE MENUSKIP TO TOP FRAME TABS Content User Course Introduction To Biology Quiz

What role does carbon play in biological molecules?

Life on earth would not be possible without carbon. This is in part due to carbon's ability to readily form bonds with other atoms, giving flexibility to the form and function that biomolecules can take, such as DNA and RNA, which are essential for the defining characteristics of life: growth and replication.

Why is carbon significant for biology and biological molecules?

Carbon has the most potential to make large, complex and varied molecules. It can make proteins, DNA, carbohydrates and other molecules that distinguish living matter from inanimate material. Chains that form the skeletons of most organic molecules.Dec 1, 2021

What is the structure of carbon-based molecules?

As FIGURE 3.1 shows, carbon-based molecules have three fundamental structures—straight chains, branched chains, and rings. All three types of molecules are the result of carbon's ability to form four covalent bonds. Carbon chains can bond with carbon rings to form very large, complex molecules.

How does the structure of carbon contribute to the diversity of organic molecules?

Variation in carbon skeletons contributes to the diversity of organic molecules. Carbon chains form the skeletons of most organic molecules. The skeletons vary in length and may be straight, branched, or arranged in closed rings. The carbon skeletons may include double bonds.May 31, 2019

Why is carbon so important in biological systems quizlet?

Why is Carbon So Important in Biological Molecules? carbon atoms bind readily together with each other forming long chains, branched molecules, rings and other shapes. The presence of functional groups produces further diversity among biological molecules.

Why is carbon so important in biology quizlet?

Why is carbon so important in biology? It can form a variety of carbon skeletons and host functional groups. How many electron pairs does carbon share to complete its valence shell? A carbon atom is most likely to form what kind of bond(s) with other atoms?

What are the three structures of carbon?

Carbon-based molecules have three fundamental structures—straight chains, branched chains, and rings.

What is a carbon-based molecules?

0:1411:56These are the 4 main types of carbon-based molecules necessary ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo yeah you can say that these are the coolest molecules in the universe. There are four majorMoreSo yeah you can say that these are the coolest molecules in the universe. There are four major classes of carbon-based. Molecules important to life carbohydrates lipids proteins and nucleic acids each

What are three different shapes or structures of carbon-based molecules quizlet?

Carbon atoms can form covalent bonds with up to four other atoms (including other carbon atoms) because each carbon atom has 4 unpaired electrons in outer energy level. What are carbon molecules three fundamental structures? Straight chains, branched chains, and rings.

How do carbon skeletons contribute to the diversity and complexity of organic molecules?

Variation in carbon skeletons contributes to the diversity of organic molecules. Carbon chains form the skeletons of most organic molecules. The skeletons vary in length and may be straight, branched, or arranged in closed rings. … Atoms of other elements can be bonded to the atoms of the carbon skeleton.Dec 31, 2021

How does carbon create diversity?

Concept 4.2 Carbon atoms can form diverse molecules by bonding to four other atoms. A carbon atom has a total of 6 electrons: 2 in the first electron shell and 4 in the second shell. Carbon has little tendency to form ionic bonds by losing or gaining 4 electrons to complete its valence shell.

How do carbon atoms form diverse molecules?

4.2 Carbon atoms can form diverse molecules by bonding to four other atoms. with a valence of 4, can bond to various other atoms, including O, H, and N. Carbon can also bond to other carbon atoms, forming the carbon skeletons of organic compounds.

Proteins

Proteins assist chemical reactions, transport materials into and out of cells, and provide structure.

Nucleic Acids

Nucleic acids provide instructions for making organisms and building and maintaining cells.

Why is carbon important to living things?

Carbon is the most important element to living things because it can form many different kinds of bonds and form essential compounds. Learning Objectives. Explain the properties of carbon that allow it to serve as a building block for biomolecules. Key Takeaways.

What are the components of carbon?

Key Points. All living things contain carbon in some form. Carbon is the primary component of macromolecules, including proteins, lipids, nucleic acids, and carbohydrates. Carbon’s molecular structure allows it to bond in many different ways and with many different elements. The carbon cycle shows how carbon moves through ...

How does a plant use energy?

It intakes carbon dioxide, water, and energy from sunlight to make its own glucose and oxygen gas. The glucose is used for chemical energy, which the plant metabolizes in a similar way to an animal.

Is benzene a carcinogen?

The benzene ring is also found in the herbicide 2,4-D. Benzene is a natural component of crude oil and has been classified as a carcinogen.

Why are hydrogen bonds important?

Hydrogen bonds between functional groups (within the same molecule or between different molecules) are important to the function of many macromolecules and help them to fold properly and maintain the appropriate shape needed to function correctly. Hydrogen bonds are also involved in various recognition processes, such as DNA complementary base pairing and the binding of an enzyme to its substrate.

What is the fundamental component of macromolecules?

The fundamental component for all of these macromolecules is carbon. The carbon atom has unique properties that allow it to form covalent bonds to as many as four different atoms, making this versatile element ideal to serve as the basic structural component, or “backbone,” of the macromolecules.

How many electrons are in carbon?

Structure of Carbon. Individual carbon atoms have an incomplete outermost electron shell. With an atomic number of 6 (six electrons and six protons), the first two electrons fill the inner shell, leaving four in the second shell.

What is the structure of a cell?

The structure of biological molecules. Cells are largely composed of compounds that contain carbon. The study of how carbon atoms interact with other atoms in molecular compounds forms the basis of the field of organic chemistry and plays a large role in understanding the basic functions of cells.

How many amino acids are in a protein?

An average-sized protein macromolecule contains a string of about 400 amino acid molecules. Each amino acid has a different side chain of atoms that interact with the atoms of side chains of other amino acids. These interactions are very specific and cause the entire protein molecule to fold into a compact globular form.

What is the composition of a cell?

Approximate chemical composition of a typical mammalian cell. Aside from water, which forms 70 percent of a cell’s mass, a cell is composed mostly of macromolecules. By far the largest portion of macromolecules are the proteins. An average-sized protein macromolecule contains a string of about 400 amino acid molecules.

What are the major components of a cell?

0.25. phospholipids and other lipids. 5. polysaccharides. 2. Aside from water, which forms 70 percent of a cell’s mass, a cell is composed mostly of macromolecules. By far the largest portion of macromolecules are the proteins.

What is the catalytic property of enzymes?

Key to the catalytic property of an enzyme is its tendency to undergo a change in its shape when it binds to its substrate, thus bringing together reactive groups on substrate molecules. Some enzymes are macromolecules of RNA, called ribozymes.

What are the macromolecules that make up RNA?

Some enzymes are macromolecules of RNA, called ribozymes. Ribozymes consist of linear chains of nucleotides that fold in specific ways to form unique surfaces, similar to the ways in which proteins fold. As with proteins, the specific sequence of nucleotide subunits in an RNA chain gives each macromolecule a unique character.

What are enantiomers in biology?

Enantiomers are molecules that share the same chemical structure and chemical bonds but differ in the three-dimensional placement of atoms so that they are mirror images. As shown in Figure 2.28, an amino acid alanine example, the two structures are non-superimposable. In nature, only the L-forms of amino acids are used to make proteins. Some D forms of amino acids are seen in the cell walls of bacteria, but never in their proteins. Similarly, the D-form of glucose is the main product of photosynthesis and the L-form of the molecule is rarely seen in nature.

What are the properties of carbon?

The unique properties of carbon make it a central part of biological molecules. With four valence electrons, carbon can covalently bond to oxygen, hydrogen, and nitrogen to form the many molecules important for cellular function. Carbon and hydrogen can form either hydrocarbon chains or rings.

How many different atoms are in a carbon atom?

The carbon atom has unique properties that allow it to form covalent bonds to as many as four different atoms, making this versatile element ideal to serve as the basic structural component, or “backbone,” of the macromolecules. Individual carbon atoms have an incomplete outermost electron shell.

Is methane a hydrocarbon?

Methane, an excellent fuel, is the simplest hydrocarbon molecule, with a central carbon atom bonded to four different hydrogen atoms, as illustrated in Figure 2.23. The geometry of the methane molecule, where the atoms reside in three dimensions, is determined by the shape of its electron orbitals.

What are hydrocarbons made of?

Hydrocarbons are organic molecules consisting entirely of carbon and hydrogen , such as methane (CH 4) described above. We often use hydrocarbons in our daily lives as fuels—like the propane in a gas grill or the butane in a lighter. The many covalent bonds between the atoms in hydrocarbons store a great amount of energy, which is released when these molecules are burned (oxidized). Methane, an excellent fuel, is the simplest hydrocarbon molecule, with a central carbon atom bonded to four different hydrogen atoms, as illustrated in Figure 2.23. The geometry of the methane molecule, where the atoms reside in three dimensions, is determined by the shape of its electron orbitals. The carbons and the four hydrogen atoms form a shape known as a tetrahedron, with four triangular faces; for this reason, methane is described as having tetrahedral geometry.

How many covalent bonds can carbon form?

Therefore, carbon atoms can form up to four covalent bonds with other atoms to satisfy the octet rule. The methane molecule provides an example: it has the chemical formula CH 4.

What type of hydrocarbons have double bonds?

Another type of hydrocarbon, aromatic hydrocarbons, consists of closed rings of carbon atoms. Ring structures are found in hydrocarbons, sometimes with the presence of double bonds, which can be seen by comparing the structure of cyclohexane to benzene in Figure 2.25.

What are the molecules that contain carbon?

Key molecules that contain carbon include proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates and lipids. Carbon is an integral part of many biological processes, including reproduction, photosynthesis and respiration. We often assume that life in other parts of the universe, if we ever find it, will be carbon-based.

What is carbon based life?

For this reason, life on Earth is known as carbon-based life, or life that contains building blocks that are made up of combinations of carbon and other elements. We often assume, therefore, that if we were to find life on other planets, in other parts of the universe, that it would also be carbon based.

What is carbon made of?

What is Carbon? The entire world is made out of atoms. The table your computer screen is sitting on, the clothes you're wearing, the air you breathe... even your body is made out of atoms. And those atoms come in many different types. We call those different types of atoms elements. Carbon is one of the elements, one type of atom.

How do plants get carbon?

The plants get their carbon by absorbing carbon dioxide from the air. Respiration is another biological process where carbon is important. Respiration is a process in living organisms where energy is produced by taking in oxygen and food and releasing carbon dioxide.

What is the most important element in life?

Carbon is the most important component of all life found on Earth. Even the most complex molecules that make us up contain carbon bonded to other elements: carbon bonded to oxygen, carbon bonded to hydrogen, carbon bonded to nitrogen. You name it - it has carbon .

How many protons and neutrons are in carbon?

So, the process continues on and on - carbon is everywhere! Carbon is one of the elements, one type of atom. It contains six protons and six neutrons in its nucleus, with six electrons orbiting around the outside.

What is the basis of life on Earth?

Carbon is the basis for life on Earth. We, as humans, are considered to be carbon-based life. The most complex molecules that make us up contain carbon bonded to other elements: carbon bonded to oxygen, carbon bonded to hydrogen, carbon bonded to nitrogen. You name it - it has carbon.