Today the class began with checking our own respective seed-germination labs. We recorded our data and we found that the seeds continued to germinate. We decided to continue to collect data for our lab. After we recorded our data on our computers, the class integrated some technology into our lesson on the computers. We logged on to our Google reader and added all of our classmates blogs to the reader; this makes the information come to our computer instead of taking the time to check each individual site. Next, we discussed the upcoming agenda of tie dying shirts and turned in our 100% white cotton t-shirts.After that, the class took out their notebooks to take notes on chapter four materials. Chapter four discusses carbon and the molecular diversity of life. Organic chemistry is the study of carbon molecules. Carbon is very versatile and forms many different bonds (of varying structure). During this class period, the notes consisted mainly of isomers, their structure, function, and diversity of molecules. Isomers are molecules that have the same molecular formula but differ in their structures. Isomers are kind of like isotopes (same element but different number of protons)…but different. There are three types of isomers: structural isomers, geometric isomers, and enantiomer (stereo) isomers. Structural isomers are molecules with the same molecular formula, but different structures. Geometric isomers are molecules with the same molecular formula, but different arrangements around the carbon double bond (C=C). A trans fat is a geometric isomer. Enantiomer isomers are molecules that form mirror images of each other. The carbon molecule is bonded to four other molecules, which makes an asymmetric figure. There are left-handed and right-handed versions of an enantiomer isomer.
The other topic the class touched upon was how the structure of molecules affects function. For example, there can be an L-version and a D-version of an isomer; each version will function differently. This type of isomer is used in the medicine Claritin (an antihistamine), which is used to treat seasonal allergies. I personally take Claritin, and have never paid attention to the doses prescribed. I am going to do some research on Claritin and similar antihistamines to make sure I am getting the most for my money by checking the doses and prices. The over-the- counter version contains two versions of an isomer, but only one version has an effect on the patient. Therefore, the dose will be double the amount of a medicine that has filtered out the inactive isomer and left only the isomer that will affect the patient. Knowing that structure affects function can save drug companies money and waste by producing smaller dosages of 100% affective medicines.
Another example of how form affects function resulted in upsetting consequences for those involved. A drug consisting of Thalidomide was given to pregnant women to treat morning sickness during the 1950’s and 1960’s. However, the stereo isomer in the drug caused severe birth defects. The children were born with abnormally shaped limbs. This case illustrates how different forms of molecules can result in dangerous consequences.
The notes also went into to detail about the diversity of molecules. Molecules will have other atoms or groups around carbon. For example, ethane and ethanol are basically the same with the exception of the differing atoms around carbon. They also act differently; ethane has hydrogen around carbon, is nonpolar, and is a gas. While ethanol has a hydroxide element replace hydrogen, is polar, and is a liquid.
Functional groups constituted a portion of the class’ notes. Functional groups are components of organic molecules that are involved in chemical reactions and give the molecules distinct properties. Take for instance the female and male hormone estrogen and testosterone. The basic structure of each hormone is the same; they have an identical carbon skeleton. However, by attaching to different functional groups they interact with different targets in the body creating different reactions. Six functional groups are the most important to the chemistry of life: hydroxyl, carbonyl, carboxyl, amino, sulfhydryl, phosphate. The teacher only had enough time to briefly discuss the first three. Hydroxyl (-OH) is a group with OH and forms alcohols. The names of this group typically end in –ol, such as ethanol. The second group carbonyl consists of oxygen double bonded to carbon. However, the type of carbonyl depends on the location of the oxygen and carbon double bond; if the bond is at the end of the molecule it is an aldehyde, if the bond is in the middle of the molecule it is a ketone. The third group discussed in class was carboxyl, which consists of carbon double bonded to oxygen and singly bonded to a hydroxyl group. These compounds form acids, such as fatty acids or amino acids.
The notes and class ended with the discussion of the functional carboxyl group. Next class, we will finish discussing the rest of the functional groups.
