General ---------Biology------------------------------------------- ------------------Online------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Ch. 4 Carbon and the Molecular Diversity of Life

The biological properties of an organic molecule are determined by two characteristics:

• the structural formula, i.e. atoms present, size, shape, and
• the "functional groups" present.

Example:  An amino acid has two functional groups: an amine functional group, and a carboxylic acid functional group.

A functional group is a special arrangement of atoms that determines a molecule's specific properties. (See Table 4.1 in your text. )  You need to be able to recognize all the functional groups in Table 4.1. 

Assignment:  Draw each of the molecules shown in table 4.1, and place a square around the functional group.  Label each drawing with the name of the functional group, the name of the compound (the type of molecule it is) and the name of the molecule itself.  Place one drawing in the box and keep a copy for your reference.  If you want a blank copy of this table, click here.

In Ch. 5 we will see how these functional groups determine the characteristics of carbohydrates, proteins, fats and DNA & RNA.

Summary:  Students should write summary statements below as bullet points.