Why is carbon extremely versatile?
Orbitals
the shapes/volume in which electrons are distributed
S, P, D, F
Explain a covalent bond in terms of orbitals
1 orbital for each atom (carrying an unpaired electron) fuses into a molecular orbital which now contains 2 electrons
Triple bonds are…
instable
Chiral center
region in a molecule where C is bound to 4 distinct chemical groups
(achiral, also 4, but 2 are the same)
Enantiomers
2 different configurations of a molecule, with a chiral center (mirror images of each other)
Conformations
different forms/projections of molecules (e.g. single or double bonds)
Double bonds don’t allow…
for a rotation to take place
Single bonds allow…
free rotation
Staggered conformation has … potential energy
lower
Eclipsed conformation has … potential energy
maximum
Conformation
the (potentially flexible) spatial arrangement of atoms around fixed bonds in molecules
Configuration
the FIXED arrangement of atoms dictated by the bonds of molecules
Catabolism
the conversion of potential energy in food -> energy used by cells to work
Anabolism
the synthesis of biomolecules from building blocks
Lithnotrophs
require inorganic molecules for fuel
Energy
the capacity to do work
1st law of thromodynamics
- energy cannot be created or destroyed, but can change its form
2nd law of thermodynamics
Gibbs free energy formula
G = H - TS
G - free energy (the energy that is available to do work)
H - enthalpy
T - temp. (kelvin)
S - entropy
Enthalpy
total energy of the system (including bonds)
a system with a lot of free energy is
unstable
Spontaneous process
decrease in free energy (between substrate and product) as the system moves to a more stable state
delta G is negative
Exothermic
negative change in enthalpy, heat is released