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Ch 22.

Organic Compounds,
Polymers,and Biochemicals

Brady & Senese, 5th Ed.


Index

22.1. Organic chemistry is the study of carbon compounds


22.2. Hydrocarbons consist of only C and H atoms
22.3. Ethers and alcohols are organic derivatives of water
22.4. Amines are organic derivatives of ammonia
22.5. Organic compounds with carbonyl groups include
aldehydes, ketones, and carboxylic acids
22.6. Polymers are composed of many repeating molecular
units
22.7. Most biochemicals are organic compounds
22.8. Nucleic acids carry our genetic information

2
Organic Compounds Are Diverse

Carbon compounds are greatly variant due to the


properties of C:
▪ C is able to bond multiply
▪ C is able to catenate
▪ C is able to bond with a wide variety of elements
▪ Isomers are possible when there is a carbon chain
▪ Combinations of functional groups give great diversity
▪ Carbon can form rings

22.1. Organic chemistry is the study of carbon compounds 3


Carbon Compounds

• Carbon containing compounds exist in large


variety, mostly due to the multiple ways in which
C can form bonds
• Some groups of atoms with similar bonding are
commonly seen, called functional groups.
• Molecules may contain more than one functional
group
• Can form chiral compounds

22.1. Organic chemistry is the study of carbon compounds 4


VSEPR Structures
• Show all atoms
• Show attachments between atoms but not how many
pairs of electrons were used
• Show the geometric arrangement of the atoms

H H H H H H
C C C
H C C H
H H H H
22.1. Organic chemistry is the study of carbon compounds 5
Condensed Structures

• show the general arrangement of the atoms and the


number of atoms
• no effort is made to indicate geometry, types of bonds,
or lone pairs

CH3CH2CH2CH2CH3

22.1. Organic chemistry is the study of carbon compounds 6


Alcohols & Ethers Are Polar

• Contain C, H, and O, all with single bonds.


• Alcohols end in –OH (R-OH)
• Ethers have an O atom in the chain (R-O-R’)

22.1. Organic chemistry is the study of carbon compounds 7


The Carbonyl Group
• When C in a chain has a double bond to an oxygen, the
group is termed a carbonyl
• Aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids, and amides all
contain carbonyl groups

O O O
|| || ||
RC H R C R' R C OH
aldehyde ketone carboxylic acid

22.1. Organic chemistry is the study of carbon compounds 8


Aldehydes & Ketones Are Polar

• Each has a carbon chain terminating in a carbonyl.


• Aldehydes then have an added H (RCOH)
• Ketones have another carbon chain (RCOR’)

22.1. Organic chemistry is the study of carbon compounds 9


Amines & Amides Are Polar

• Amines contain -NH2 on carbon chain (RNHR’)


• Amides contain NH2 on carbon chain with
carbonyl (RCONH2)

22.1. Organic chemistry is the study of carbon compounds 10


Carboxylic Acids & Esters Are Polar

• Both have a carbon chain terminating in a


carbonyl
• Carboxylic acids then have an –OH group
• A combined carbonyl and hydroxyl group form a
carboxyl group (RCOOH)
• Esters then have a singly bound O, then another
carbon chain (RCOOR’)

22.1. Organic chemistry is the study of carbon compounds 11


Identify The Functional Groups Present

22.1. Organic chemistry is the study of carbon compounds 12


Using Functional Groups

• Collecting molecules into families means that only


a few kinds of reactions must be learned
• The emphasis is on the properties of the functional
group, not individual molecules
• Once the center of reactivity is identified, its
characteristic reactions are expected to occur

22.1. Organic chemistry is the study of carbon compounds 13


Functional Groups And Their Properties

• Polar functional groups contain O and N


• Like dissolves like: polar solvents will dissolve
the polar functional groups
• As the carbon chain increases in size, the polarity
decreases

22.1. Organic chemistry is the study of carbon compounds 14


Your Turn!

Which of the following


contains an amide
group?
A. The top structure
B. The middle
structure
C. The bottom
structure
D. None of these

22.1. Organic chemistry is the study of carbon compounds 15


Lewis Structures Of Hydrocarbons

• Show all atoms, and all electrons


• Bond pairs usually shown as a line
• Non-bonding (lone) pairs of electrons are shown
as dots

H H H H H
H C C C C C H
H H H H H
22.2. Hydrocarbons consist of only C and H atoms 16
Stick Figures

• Each vertex and terminus is a carbon


• Assumes that the termini contain as many H as
needed for saturation of the C
▪ (hydrogens attached to hetero-atoms are shown)
• All hetero-atoms are shown explicitly
• Double bonds explicitly shown
H H H H H
H
C C C C C C
H C C H C C
H H H H

22.2. Hydrocarbons consist of only C and H atoms 17


Learning Check

Fill in the missing atoms and derive the condensed


structure

O
C5H12 C4H8O2

22.2. Hydrocarbons consist of only C and H atoms 18


Your Turn!

Which is the correct formula for the structure


shown?
A. C42H12
B. C24H12
C. C36G12
D. None of these

22.2. Hydrocarbons consist of only C and H atoms 19


Alkanes & Alkenes Are Non-polar

• Alkanes are hydrocarbons (contain only C and H)


▪ have a ratio of atoms CnH2n+2
• Alkenes- hydrocarbons with fewer H than the
alkanes (CnH2n)
▪ Use the same prefixes, but have the suffix -ene.

22.2. Hydrocarbons consist of only C and H atoms 20


Alkanes (CnH2n+2)

• Composed of hydrocarbon chains in which carbons


are attached to one another by single bonds
• Are named by the number of C in the chain and
where any substitutions are found
• Prefixes and the associated numbers of carbon
atoms
meth-1 hex-6
eth-2 hept-7
prop-3 oct-8
but-4 non-9
pent-5 dec-10

22.2. Hydrocarbons consist of only C and H atoms 21


Naming Alkanes

1. Find the longest continuous chain of carbons-the root.


2. a. Name the root by adding “-ane” to the appropriate
prefix (a 4-carbon chain would be butane)
b. Identify any branches, and name each by the
number of carbons (a 1-carbon branch is methyl-)
3. a. List side chains in alphabetical order, before the
root
b. Use di, tri, tetra (etc…) if you have more than one
of something (these do not count in alphabetizing)

22.2. Hydrocarbons consist of only C and H atoms 22


Naming (Cont.)

4. Number root from side closest to the first


branch
5. Use numbers to tell where the side chains
sprout from the root
6. Put a dash between any number and letter or
any letter and number. Use a comma between
two numbers
7. Use the prefix “cyclo” for ring systems

22.2. Hydrocarbons consist of only C and H atoms 23


Name the following

4-ethyl-2-methylhexane 2,3,3,4-tetramethylhexane

3-methylheptane 1-ethyl-2-methylhexane

22.2. Hydrocarbons consist of only C and H atoms 24


25
Your Turn!

Name the structure shown:


A. 1,2-dimethylpentane
B. 3-methylhexane
C. 2-ethylpentane
D. None of these

22.2. Hydrocarbons consist of only C and H atoms 26


Reactions Of Alkanes
• Alkanes are generally stable at room temperature
• They burn in air to given carbon dioxide
• When heated at high temperature they crack (break into
smaller molecules)

CH 4 ⎯high
⎯tempe
⎯⎯ ⎯→ C + 2H 2
rature

CH 3CH 3 ⎯high
⎯tempe
⎯⎯ ⎯→ H 2 C = CH 2 + H 2
rature

ethane ethene

22.2. Hydrocarbons consist of only C and H atoms 27


Unsaturated Hydrocarbons
• Hydrocarbons with one or more double bonds are
members of the alkene family
▪ open chain alkenes have the general formula C2H2n
• Hydrocarbons with triple bonds are in the alkyne
family
▪ open chain alkynes have the general formula, CnH2n−2

22.2. Hydrocarbons consist of only C and H atoms 28


Naming Alkenes

• The parent chain must include the double bond


• The parent alkene chain must be numbered from
whichever end gives the first carbon of the double
bond the lowest number
• This number, followed by a hyphen, precedes the
name of the parent chain, unless there is no
ambiguity about where the double bond occurs
• The locations of branches are not a factor in
numbering the chain
• Alkyl groups are named and located as before

22.2. Hydrocarbons consist of only C and H atoms 29


Name The Following

ethylene 2,3-dimethyl-1-pentene
22.2. Hydrocarbons consist of only C and H atoms 30
Your Turn!
Which name is not correct?

A. 3-pentene

B.
2-pentene

C.

2-methyl-1-butene
D. All are correct
22.2. Hydrocarbons consist of only C and H atoms 31
Geometric Isomers

• Cis and trans isomers exist when there


is a plane of a double bond or of a
ring structure
• cis –same
• trans-opposite

22.2. Hydrocarbons consist of only C and H atoms 32


Your Turn
Which isomer is shown:
A. cis-
B. trans-
C. can’t tell

22.2. Hydrocarbons consist of only C and H atoms 33


Addition Reactions of Alkenes
• Alkenes undergo addition reactions that eliminate the
pi-bond
▪ CH2=CH2 + HCl(g) → Cl- CH2-CH3
• Inorganic compounds that undergo addition reactions
with alkenes include: H2O, Cl2, Br2, I2, and H2.
• Ozone (O3) reacts with anything that has a carbon-
carbon double or triple bond, forming a variety of
products

22.2. Hydrocarbons consist of only C and H atoms 34


Aromatic Compounds
• Contain a benzene(C6H5-) ring with delocalized
electrons
• Aromatic compounds undergo substitution reactions
instead of addition reactions because of the
resonance energy of the ring
▪ example: C6H6 + Cl2→C6H5Cl + HCl

22.2. Hydrocarbons consist of only C and H atoms 35


Ethers (ROR’)
• Result when both hydrogen atoms in water are
replaced with alkyl groups
• Are almost as chemically inert as alkanes: they
burn and are split apart when boiled in
concentrated acid
• Are named by naming each alkyl group,
alphabetically, and end with “ether”
• Learning Check:
▪ CH3OCH3 ▪dimethyl ether
▪ CH3CH2OCH3 ▪ethyl methyl ether
▪ CH3CH2OCH2CH3 ▪diethyl ether

22.3. Ethers and alcohols are organic derivatives of water 36


Alcohols (ROH)
• When an alkyl group replaces a hydrogen in water, an
alcohol results
• The name ending for alcohols is –ol
• The parent chain must include the carbon containing the
OH group
• Learning Check: Name the following
▪ CH3CH2OH ▪ethanol
▪ CH3CH2CH2CH2OH ▪butanol

22.3. Ethers and alcohols are organic derivatives of water 37


Oxidation of Alcohols

If the alcohol carbon atom holds at least one H atom, it


can be replaced with bonds to oxygen

O O
|| Further ||
RCH 2OH ⎯⎯ ⎯
⎯→ R C H ⎯⎯ ⎯
⎯→ R C OH
oxidation oxidation

alcohol aldehyde carboxylic acid


O O
|| Further ||
CH 3CH 2OH ⎯⎯ ⎯
⎯→ CH 3 C H ⎯⎯ ⎯
oxidation
⎯→ CH 3 C OH oxidation

22.3. Ethers and alcohols are organic derivatives of water 38


Dehydration Of Alcohols:

The “reverse” the the addition of water to an


alkene, it is an example of an elimination
reaction

CH 3 C H C H 2 → CH 3CH = CH 2 + H 2O
| |
H OH

22.3.Ethers and alcohols are organic derivatives of water 39


Substitution Reactions Of Alcohols

Under acidic conditions, the -OH group can be


replaced by a halogen atom

CH 3CH 2CH 2OH + HBr(conc) → CH 3CH 2CH 2 Br + H 2O


1 - propanol 1 - bromopropane

22.3. Ethers and alcohols are organic derivatives of water 40


Your Turn!

What type of structure is shown


A. Alcohol
B. Ether
C. Peroxide
D. aldehyde

22.3. Ethers and alcohols are organic derivatives of water 41


Amines

• Are derivatives of ammonia where one or more


hydrogens have been replaced with alkyl groups
▪ NH3 is ammonia
▪ CH3NH2 is methylamine
▪ (CH3)2NH is dimethylamine and (CH3)3N is
trimethylamine (bp 3oC).
• Amines are bases, and react with strong proton
donors to form ammonium ion-like structures
NH 3 (aq) + H + (aq) → NH 4+ (aq)
CH 3CH 2 NH 2 (aq) + H + (aq) → CH 3CH 2 NH 3+ (aq)

22.4. Amines are organic derivatives of ammonia 42


Protonated Amines

• Are more soluble in water than amines


• Protonated amines (like protonated ammonia) are weak
acids that can react with base

NH 4+ (aq) + OH − (aq) → NH 3 (aq) + H 2O


CH 3CH 2 NH 3+ (aq) + OH − (aq) → CH 3CH 2 NH 2 (aq) + H 2O

22.4. Amines are organic derivatives of ammonia 43


Aldehydes
• The IUPAC name ending for an aldehyde is –al
• The parent chain is the longest chain that includes
the aldehyde group

O O O
|| || ||
HCH CH 3 C H CH 3CH 2 C H
methanal ethanal propanal
(bp − 21o C) (bp 21o C) (bp 49o C)

22.5. Organic compounds with carbonyl groups include aldehydes, ketones, and 44
carboxylic acids
Ketones

The IUPAC ending for ketones is –one.


The parent chain must include the
carbonyl group
O O
|| ||
CH 3 C CH 3 CH 3CH 2 C CH 2CH 3
propanone 3 - pentanone
propanone 3-pentanone

22.5. Organic compounds with carbonyl groups include aldehydes, ketones, and 45
carboxylic acids
Reactions Of Aldehydes & Ketones

• Aldehydes and ketones can be hydrogenated to


give alcohols
O
||
CH 3CH 3 C H + H 2 → CH 3CH 2 CH 2OH 1 - propanol
O OH
|| |
CH 3 C CH 3 + H 2 → CH 3 C H CH 3 2 - propanol
• Aldehydes undergo oxidation to form
carboxylic acids, while ketones strongly resist
oxidation

22.5. Organic compounds with carbonyl groups include aldehydes, ketones, and 46
carboxylic acids
Carboxylic Acids

The IUPAC name ending for carboxylic acids is –


oic acid. the parent chain must include the
carbonyl carbon, which is numbered as position 1

O O
|| ||
H C OH CH 3CH 2 C OH
methanoic acid ethanoic acid
The (bp
common onames are used for these:
101 C) (bp 118 C)formic
o
acid and acetic acid

22.5. Organic compounds with carbonyl groups include aldehydes, ketones, and 47
carboxylic acids
Your Turn!

Which of the following contain a carbonyl group?


A. amine
B. amide
C. carboxylic acid
D. All contain a carbonyl

22.5. Organic compounds with carbonyl groups include aldehydes, ketones, and 48
carboxylic acids
Esters

• In esters, the OH of the carboxyl group is


replaced by -OR’
• Name the alkyl group attached to the O atom
followed by a separate word generated from
the name of the parent acid by changing –oic
acid to -ate
O O
|| ||
H C OCH 3 CH 3 C OCH 2CH 3
methyl
methylmethanoate
methanoate ethyl ethanoate

22.5. Organic compounds with carbonyl groups include aldehydes, ketones, and 49
carboxylic acids
Preparation Of Esters

Esters can be prepared by heating the parent acid with


an alcohol in the presence of an acid catalyst

O O
|| ||
H+
R C OH + HOR' ⎯⎯→ R C OR' + H 2O
O O
|| ||
H+
CH 3 CH 2 C OH + HOCH 2CH 3 ⎯⎯→ CH 3 CH 2 C OCH 2CH 3 + H 2O
ethanoic acid ethanol ethyl ethanoate

22.5. Organic compounds with carbonyl groups include aldehydes, ketones, and 50
carboxylic acids
Reactions of Esters

• Carboxylic acids and alcohols can be obtained by


heating esters with acid in a large excess of water
• Esters are split apart by the action of base in a reaction
called saponification
O
||
CH 3 CH 2 C OCH 2CH 3 (aq ) + NaOH (aq ) ⎯heat
⎯→

ethyl ethanoate
O
||
CH 3 CH 2 C O − (aq ) + Na + (aq ) + CH 3CH 2OH
ethanoate ion ethanol

22.5. Organic compounds with carbonyl groups include aldehydes, ketones, and 51
carboxylic acids
Amides (RCONH2)

• Carboxylic acids can also be converted into amides, a


functional group found in proteins
• Simple amides are those in which the nitrogen bears
no alkyl groups, only hydrogen atoms
• The IUPAC names of simple amides are generated by
replacing the –oic acid of the parent carboxylic acid
with -amide
H2N
O
O

NH2

propanamide 2-methyl-butanamide
22.5. Organic compounds with carbonyl groups include aldehydes, ketones, and 52
carboxylic acids
Preparation of Amides

One way to prepare simple amides is by heating


a carboxylic acid in excess ammonia

O O
|| ||
R C OH + NH 3 ⎯⎯→
⎯ R C NH 2 + H 2O
heat

O O
|| ||
CH 3CH 2 C OH + NH 3 ⎯⎯→
⎯ CH 3CH 2 C NH 2 + H 2O
heat

propanoic acid propanamide

22.5. Organic compounds with carbonyl groups include aldehydes, ketones, and 53
carboxylic acids
Reactions of Amides

• Amides, like esters, can be hydrolyzed


O O
|| ||
R C NH 2 + H 2O ⎯⎯→
⎯ R C OH + NH 3
heat

O O
|| ||
CH 3CH 2 C NH 2 + H 2O ⎯⎯→
⎯ CH 3CH 2 C OH + NH 3
heat

propanamide propanoic acid


• Amides are not bases; the O on the carbonyl draws
electron density to itself and “tightens” the unshared
electrons on N, “preventing” their donation

22.5. Organic compounds with carbonyl groups include aldehydes, ketones, and 54
carboxylic acids
Your Turn!

Which of these can be hydrolyzed (react with water)


A. amides
B. alkanes
C. alcohols
D. None of these

22.5. Organic compounds with carbonyl groups include aldehydes, ketones, and 55
carboxylic acids
Polymers

Are large molecules with repeating units called


monomers

22.6. Polymers are composed of many repeating molecular units 56


Formation Of Addition Polymers

• Initiators attack a monomer and make it receptive


for the new bond

• Addition polymers are assembled from molecular


units that combine to form one larger molecule

22.6. Polymers are composed of many repeating molecular units 57


Addition Polymer: Polystyrene

• Styrene is treated with an initiator to form a free


radical
• Radical end is free to form a new connection to
another styrene molecule

22.6. Polymers are composed of many repeating molecular units 58


Formation Of Condensation Polymers

Condensation polymers are formed when monomers


add and lose a small molecule
• adipic acid and hexamethylene diamine combine
and eliminate water to form Nylon 6,6
• The ends are free to continue the process

22.6. Polymers are composed of many repeating molecular units 59


Crosslinking

• Branches on polymers
make them susceptible
to interaction with other
polymers
• Increased crosslinking
leads to increased
strength
• The concept behind
vulcanized rubber

22.6. Polymers are composed of many repeating molecular units 60


Learning Check: Teflon

Is formed from the monomer F2C═CF2 . Based on


the structure of polytetrafluoroethylene (PFTE), is
this an addition or a condensation polymer?
addition

22.6. Polymers are composed of many repeating molecular units 61


The Polyethylenes: LDPE, HDPE and
UHMWPE
• Have widely disparate
properties due to the degree of
order
▪ low density (LD) PE with an
unordered crystal, is used for
grocery sacks
▪ high density (HD) PE with
highly structured crystal is
very strong and used in
TYVEK
▪ ultra-high molecular weight
(UHMW) PE has very long
HDPE fibers and is used in
bulletproof vests and sails
22.6. Polymers are composed of many repeating molecular units 62
Your Turn!

One form of “Gak” can be made by combining


dissolved white glue and dissolved borax
powder. What characteristics would you expect
if the amount of cross-linker (the borax) is
increased in the blend?
A. It becomes more viscous
B. It becomes more solid
C. It tears rather than stretches
D. All of the above

22.6. Polymers are composed of many repeating molecular units 63


Biochemistry

• The systematic study of the chemicals of living things


• A variety of compounds are required for cells to work:
▪ lipids
▪ carbohydrates
▪ proteins
▪ nucleic acids

22.6. Polymers are composed of many repeating molecular units 64


Carbohydrates

• Are naturally occurring polyhydroxyaldehydes or


polyhydroxyketones, or else compounds that react
with water to give these
• Types:
▪ monosaccharides
▪ disaccharides
▪ polysaccharides

22.7. Most biochemicals are organic compounds 65


Monosaccharides

• Are carbohydrates that do not react with water


• The most common monosaccharide is glucose
(pentahydroxyaldehyde)
▪ glucose is the chief carbohydrate in blood, and provides
a building units for polysaccharides like cellulose and
starch
H2
HO C OH
OH OH OH
HC CH
H2C H C H C
C H C H CH HO CH O
HC CH
OH OH O
HO OH
glucose (open chain polyhydroxyaldehyde) α-glucose

22.7. Most biochemicals are organic compounds 66


Disaccharides

Are carbohydrates that split into two


monosaccharide molecules by reacting with water
▪ example: sucrose (table sugar, cane sugar, or beet
sugar) which gives glucose and fructose upon
hydrolysis

22.7. Most biochemicals are organic compounds 67


Polysaccharides

• Are naturally occurring polymers whose molecules


involve thousands of monosaccharide units linked to
each other by oxygen bridges
▪ include starch, glycogen, and cellulose -all give only
glucose upon hydrolysis
▪ plants store energy as starch
▪ the hydrolysis of amylose (the simplest starch) can be
represented as:

Glu − (O − Glu) n − OH + nH 2O → n glucose


amylose (n is large)

22.7. Most biochemicals are organic compounds 68


Storage of glucose

• Animals store glucose for energy as glycogen


▪ excess glucose is converted to glycogen by liver and
muscle cells and stored for later use
• Cellulose, a chief component of plant cell walls,
is a polymer of glucose that requires a special
enzyme to hydrolyze
▪ humans lack this enzyme and so are unable to use
cellulose for food
▪ cellulose is the “fiber” found in foods like lettuce

22.7. Most biochemicals are organic compounds 69


Lipids

• Are fats and oils that are non-polar, so they do not


dissolve in water
• Are amphipathic:
▪ the purely hydrocarbon-like portions (the long R groups
contributed by the fatty acids) avoid water and are
called hydrophobic or “water fearing”
▪ the polar heads are hydrophilic or “water loving

22.7. Most biochemicals are organic compounds 70


Triacylglycerols

• Are esters between glycerol and include


edible fats and oils like olive oil, butterfat,
and lard
• Are called vegetable oils when derived
from plants and animal fats when derived
from animals, and are made from fatty
acids
• Are said to be polyunsaturated; vegetable
oils tend to have more alkene double
bonds per molecule than animal fats

22.7. Most biochemicals are organic compounds 71


Glycerophospholipids
The lipids involved in animal cell membrane are called
glycerophospholipids

The lipid molecules of animal cell membranes are organized as a bilayer.


22.7. Most biochemicals are organic compounds 72
Your Turn!

Which are forms of fats?


A. Lipids
B. Glycerols
C. Polysaccharides
D. All of these

22.7. Most biochemicals are organic compounds 73


Proteins

• The dominant structural units of proteins are


macromolecules called polypeptides
▪ polypeptides are made from a set of about 20
monomers called amino acids
▪ polypeptides are copolymers of the amino acids

22.7. Most biochemicals are organic compounds 74


Reactions of Proteins

• The final shape of a protein, called its native


form, is critical to its ability to function
• Physical agents such as heat, poisons, and certain
solvents can alter a proteins native form
▪ when this happened the protein is said to have been
denatured
• Enzymes are the catalysts in living cells
• Virtually all enzymes are proteins

22.7. Most biochemicals are organic compounds 75


Nucleic Acids

• Carry the genetic


code
• Are made of amino
acids

22.8. Nucleic acids carry our genetic information 76


Reactions of DNA

• The best hydrogen bonds are formed when the base


pairs that makeup the backbone “match”
▪ Adenine (A) pairs with thymine (T), cytosine (C) pairs with
guanine (G), etc
• DNA replicates itself by splitting the “parent” DNA
double helix and assembling the matching base pairs
on each strand
▪ The result is two “daughter” DNA double helixes

22.8. Nucleic acids carry our genetic information 77


Replication of DNA

22.8. Nucleic acids carry our genetic information 78


DNA Characteristics

• A single human gene has between 1000 and


3000 bases
▪ the bases do not occur continuously on a DNA
molecule
▪ the separated segments of a DNA chain that make up
a gene are called exons because that unit helps to
express a message
▪ the sections of DNA between the exons are called
introns because they are units that interrupt the gene

22.8. Nucleic acids carry our genetic information 79


Preparation of Polypeptides

• Each polypeptide in a cell is made under the direction


of its own gene
• The production of a polypeptide can be represented as:
DNA ⎯transcript
⎯ ⎯⎯ ion
→ RNA ⎯translatio
⎯ ⎯⎯n → polypeptid e
▪ Transcription: the genetic message is read off in the cell
nucleus and transferred to ribonucleic acid (RNA)
▪ Translation: the genetic message, now on RNA outside the
nucleus, is used to direct the synthesis of a polypeptide

22.8. Nucleic acids carry our genetic information 80


RNA

• Four types of RNA are involved in the connection


of the gene to the polypeptide
▪ ribosomal RNA or rRNA is packed together with
enzymes in ribosomes, the manufacturing stations for
polypeptides.
▪ messenger RNA or mRNA brings the blueprints for
particular polypeptide to the manufacturing station
(ribosome)
▪ heterogeneous nuclear RNA or hnRNA carries the
“prefabricated” parts (amino acids) to the ribosome
▪ transfer RNA or t-RNA carries amino acids to the
ribosomes
22.8. Nucleic acids carry our genetic information 81
Genetic Defects

• About 2000 diseases are attributed to various


kinds of defects in the genetic machinery of
cells
▪ if a single base is wrong in a gene, it could result in
a completely different polypeptide being produced,
possibly with fatal consequences
• Atomic radiation and chemical agents can also
cause defects, possibly causing cancer

22.8. Nucleic acids carry our genetic information 82


Viruses

• Viruses are packages of chemicals usually


consisting of nucleic acid and protein
• Their nucleic acid takes over the genetic
machinery in certain cells of the host tissues
causing them to manufacture more virus particles
• The host cell bursts, releasing the newly
manufactured viruses, which can infect more cells

22.8. Nucleic acids carry our genetic information 83


Your Turn!

How many types of RNA are there in a living


organism?
A. 1
B. 2
C. 3
D. 4

22.8. Nucleic acids carry our genetic information 84


Your Turn!

How many types of DNA are there in a living


organism?
A. 1
B. 2
C. 3
D. 4

22.8. Nucleic acids carry our genetic information 85

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