Important Concepts
The Importance of Carbon
Carbon is a small, relatively light element on the periodic table. Carbon has 4 electrons in its valance shell and thus it can make up to 4 different stable covalent bonds with other atoms. Other elements such as hydrogen, oxygen, sulfur and phosphorous can attach to a carbon backbone to form clusters of atoms called functional groups. These biochemical functional groups are shown in the image below. Functional groups possess various chemical properties that affect how the molecule interacts with others around it. Functional groups are more reactive than the hydrocarbon portion of the biological molecule. The reactions that occur between biological molecules occur between the functional groups of such molecules. Hydroxyl groups (-OH) and carboxyl groups (-COOH) are polar and are found within alcohols and proteins respectively. Amino groups (-NH2) are basic and found within amino acids as well. A summary of all the functional groups found in biological molecules and their properties is listed below.
Carbon is a small, relatively light element on the periodic table. Carbon has 4 electrons in its valance shell and thus it can make up to 4 different stable covalent bonds with other atoms. Other elements such as hydrogen, oxygen, sulfur and phosphorous can attach to a carbon backbone to form clusters of atoms called functional groups. These biochemical functional groups are shown in the image below. Functional groups possess various chemical properties that affect how the molecule interacts with others around it. Functional groups are more reactive than the hydrocarbon portion of the biological molecule. The reactions that occur between biological molecules occur between the functional groups of such molecules. Hydroxyl groups (-OH) and carboxyl groups (-COOH) are polar and are found within alcohols and proteins respectively. Amino groups (-NH2) are basic and found within amino acids as well. A summary of all the functional groups found in biological molecules and their properties is listed below.
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Curriculum Links
B3.3 identify common functional groups within biological molecules (e.g., hydroxyl, carbonyl, carboxyl, amino, phosphate), and explain how they contribute to the function of each molecule
Misconceptions
- Since carbon is the main element being used, which can make up to four bonds, students feel that all elements can make only four bonds
- Thus, it is important to tech about valance electrons and bonding capacity
- A double bond counts as 1 bond. For example carbon can make 3 single bonds and 1 double bond.
- This is not the case, a double bond counts as 2 bonds, therefor for the above example carbon can only make 2 single bonds and 1 double bond, which equals 4 total bonds.
Activities and Teaching Strategies
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Assessment #1
Quiz surrounding carbon and hydrolysis/condensation reactions
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