Related State of MI learning standards:

HS-LS1-6 Construct and revise an explanation based on evidence for how carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen from sugar molecules may combine with other elements to form amino acids and/or other large carbon-based molecules.

1. Explain how carbon can join to other carbon atoms in chains and rings to form large and complex molecules.

Carbon can join other carbon atoms in chains and rings to form large and complex molecules by forming up to 4 covalent bonds; it easily bonds with other carbons and has straight or branched chains and rings.

A. What are organic molecules? Explain why carbon is a good element to make up all organic molecules.

Organic molecules are complex molecules primarily consisting of carbon atoms bonded with each other or with other elements. Carbon is a good element to make up all organic molecules because it can form up to 4 covalent bonds (it has 4 [valence] electrons in its outer shell; allows for sharing of electrons), bonds easily with other carbons, and has straight or branched chains and rings.

B. What type of bonds does carbon typically make?

Carbon typically makes covalent bonds, so it can share electrons with other atoms.

C. Draw an isotope of carbon (Draw on a paper, take a picture, and paste in this document or you can Google drawing).  How would molecule A with C-12 differ from molecule B with C-14?

Molecule A (C-12) and Molecule B (C-14) differ because they have different numbers of neutrons present, and therefore their atomic masses are different as well (atomic mass = # of neutrons + # of protons). C-12 means Molecule A has an atomic mass of 12, while C-14 means that Molecule B has an atomic mass of 14. The atomic numbers remain unchanged because the number of protons and electrons stay the same for isotopes.

2. Recognize the six most common elements in organic molecules.

The six most common elements in organic molecules are carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur.

A. Differentiate between an atom, element, compound, and molecule.

An atom is the smallest unit of an element that still has the chemical properties of that element. An element is made of the same kinds of atoms; they cannot be broken down chemically into simpler substances (ex: hydrogen & oxygen). A molecule is made of atoms that have chemically combined (ex: molecules of water are the smallest units into which water can be subdivided and still have the essential chemical properties of water). A compound is made of chemically combined atoms, elements, molecules, and compounds; its properties are different from the elements it is made of.

B. Identify the 6 most common elements in organic molecules.

The six most common elements in organic molecules are carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur (repeat question).

C. Make an atomic drawing of each.

D. Water is an inorganic molecule but is essential to living things.  Draw a water molecule.  What type of bonds exists within water molecules and between water molecules? Explain why each.

The type of bonds that exist within water molecules is a covalent bond, as the hydrogen atoms and the oxygen atoms each share one pair of electrons. The type of bonds between water molecules is a hydrogen bond because a weak bond/attraction was formed between the slightly positive hydrogen and slightly negative atoms of the polar molecules. Unequal sharing of electrons (the hydrogens gain one electron each) in a water molecule causes there to be a slight negative end and a slight positive end.

3. Describe the composition of the four major categories of organic molecules (carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids) & explain the general structure and primary functions of the major complex organic molecules that compose living organisms.  MAKE A TABLE to include:

• What elements compose each of the organic molecules?

• What are their monomers (subunits)?

• What function(s) does each molecule serve?

• What is unique about each molecule that will allow you to identify it?

• Relate the structure of each macromolecule to its function (what makes that molecule good at its job?). You can use polarity, shape, size etc.

4. Describe how dehydration synthesis and hydrolysis relate to organic molecules.

• Explain how all macromolecules combine their monomers and break apart their polymers - make at least 1 sketch.

All macromolecules combine their monomers through dehydration synthesis, where water is gained. They break apart their polymers through hydrolysis, where water is lost.

• What kind of bonds are formed between each class of monomers?

Between each class of monomers, covalent bonds are formed; the monomers use the covalent bonds to combine to form larger molecules, like polymers.

• When would you use hydrolysis and dehydration synthesis of the macromolecules in your body?

You would use the hydrolysis of macromolecules in your body when you need to digest food. You would use the dehydration synthesis of the macromolecules in your body when you need to build proteins.

5. Explain the role of enzymes and other proteins in biochemical functions  (e.g. the protein hemoglobin carries oxygen in some organisms, digestive enzymes)

The role of enzymes and other proteins in biochemical functions is to reduce the energy needed for a chemical reaction to occur.

• Explain how enzymes catalyze reactions.  What is activation energy? What is the benefit of using enzymes?

Enzymes catalyze chemical reactions by lowering the activation energy needed, which speeds up the reactions as well. Activation energy is the minimum amount of energy required to undergo a chemical reaction. The benefit of using enzymes is that they are recycled and speeds up chemical reactions without the need for adding heat.

6. Interpret a chemical equation.

Answer the questions that follow with the chemical equation below:

6CO2 + 6H2O + energy → C6H12O6 + 6O2

A. What are the reactants? Products?

The reactants are the 6CO2 (6 carbon dioxide) , 6H2O (6 water), and the energy. The products are the C6H12O6 (glucose) and 6O2 (12 oxygen).

B. How many different types of atoms are there in this chemical reaction?

There are three different types of atoms in this chemical reaction (carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen).

C. Count the number of each type of atom.

6 Carbon, 18 Oxygen, 12 Hydrogen

D. Choose one type of atom. Explain what happens to the atoms before and after the chemical reaction occurs.

The carbon atoms are double bonded with the oxygen atoms before the chemical reaction in order to create a carbon dioxide molecule. After the chemical reaction, the carbon and oxygen atoms separate to form a new molecule, but there are still the same numbers of each atom.

E. Can you determine the position of the atoms (i.e. the chemical structure) in C6H12O6? Why or why not?

You can’t determine the position of the atoms because the formula contains no information regarding the position or arrangement of the atoms. It only shows how many atoms of each element are present.