Investigation Construction Of Organic Molecules printable pdf download

Investigation Construction Of Organic Molecules

Name _________________________

Period _____ Date _______________

Investigation – Construction of Organic Molecules

Organic molecules compose living things. The carbon atom is the basic building block of all organic molecules. In fact, it is the very

nature of the carbon atom which makes all life possible.

Carbon atoms will bond together to form long chains which serve as the backbone for the attachment of atoms of other

elements such as hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen. Molecules constructed this way are often huge and complex, but this complexity

seems to be necessary for the intricate processes of life.

The methane series serves as a relatively simple series of organic compounds, which illustrates the long chains of carbon

atoms which compose the backbone of organic molecules.

Fill in the chart:

Name

Chemical Formula

Molecular(structural) Formula

Methane

H – C – H

Ethane

H H

H – C – C – H

H H

Propane

Butane

Pentane

Hexane

Heptane

Octane

Construct a molecule of butane using your colored atoms. Raise your hand and have your teacher check it before you continue.

Stamp:

The organic molecules which compose living things have the same sort of carbon backbone as illustrated above but often have

oxygen, nitrogen, and other atoms in addition to carbon and hydrogen. Some of these molecules are truly gigantic with thousands of

atoms bonded together in various arrangements.

There are four basic groups of organic molecules which compose living things: Carbohydrates, Fats (Lipids), Proteins, and Nucleic

Acids.

**Highlight or circle the three molecules we discussed in class so far…..

In the remainder of this investigation we will study each of these groups individually

Investigation Construction Of Organic Molecules