•WHY IS CARBON AN ESSENTIAL ELEMENT FOR BIOLOGICAL ORGANISMS?

Organic Compounds

Organic Compounds

CarbohydratesLipidsProteinsNucleic Acids

Similarities of Organic Compounds

All contain carbonAll are monomers that join together to form

polymers

Carbohydrates (Sugars)

Consist of C, H, and OForm in chains or rings

Carbohydrates (Sugars)

Three types: Monosaccharides (one sugar) – glucose, fructose Disaccharide (two sugars) – sucrose (glucose +

fructose) Polysaccharide (many sugars) – starches, cellulose

Used to provide quick sources of energyTested for using Benedict’s Reagent

and Lugol’s Iodine

Lipids (Fats)

Consist of C, H, and OArranged in chainsUsed to form protective

coverings, cell membranes, and long-term energy storage

Tested for using brown paper towel test

Proteins

Consist of C, H, O, and NMade up of amino acids

Amino acids join together by a peptide bond to form proteins

Proteins

Used to build muscle and bone, forms fingernails and hair, controls reactions

Tested for using Biuret reagent

Nucleic Acids

Consist of C, H, O, N, and P

Made up of nucleotides Nucleotides join together to

form DNA or RNAContains genetic

information