Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry

The bonding characteristics of carbon allow the formation of many different organic
molecules of varied sizes, shapes, and chemical properties and provide the biochemical
basis of life. As a basis for understanding this concept:
a. Students know large molecules (polymers), such as proteins, nucleic acids, and
starch, are formed by repetitive combinations of simple subunits.
b. Students know the bonding characteristics of carbon that result in the formation of
a large variety of structures ranging from simple hydrocarbons to complex polymers
and biological molecules.
c. Students know amino acids are the building blocks of proteins.
d.* Students know the system for naming the ten simplest linear hydrocarbons and
isomers that contain single bonds, simple hydrocarbons with double and triple
bonds, and simple molecules that contain a benzene ring.
e.* Students know how to identify the functional groups that form the basis of
alcohols, ketones, ethers, amines, esters, aldehydes, and organic acids.
f.* Students know the R-group structure of amino acids and know how they combine
to form the polypeptide backbone structure of proteins.