Functional Groups Names/Characteristics

Question 1

characteristics of aminos?

Answer 1

amines/proteins

• acts as a base, can gain H+ from surroundings (ex water, living organisms)
• found in cells in the ionized form w/a charge of 1+

Question 2

characteristics of carbonyl?

Answer 2

ketones (inside skeleton)
aldehydes (end of skeleton)

• a ketone & aldehyde may be structural isomers w/diff properties
• ketone & aldehyde groups also found in sugars (ketoses & aldoses)

Question 3

characteristics of carboxyl?

Answer 3

carboxylic acids (organic acids)

• acts as an acid, can donate H+ bc covalent bond between oxyden/hydrogen is so polar
• found in cells in ionized form w/a charge of 1- & called carboxylate ion

Question 4

characteristics of hydroxyl?

Answer 4

alcohols (specific names usually end in -ol)

• POLAR due to electrons spending more time near the electronegative oxygen atom
• can form hydrogen bonds w/water molecules, helping dissolves organic compounds like sugars

Question 5

characteristics of methyl?

Answer 5

methylated compounds

• additional of a methyl group to DNA, or to molecules bound to DNA affects expression of genes
• arrangement of methyl groups in male & female sex hormones affects their shape and function

Question 6

characteristics of phosphate?

Answer 6

organic phosphates

• contributes a neg. charge to the molecule its apart of (2- when at the end of a molecule, 1- when in a chain of phosphates)
• molecules w/phosphate groups have potential to react w/water, releasing energy

Question 7

characteristics of sulfhydryl?

Answer 7

thiols

• 2 sulfhydryl groups can react & form a covalent bond. This “cross linking” helps stabilize protein structure.
• cross-linking of cysteines in hair proteins maintains curliness or straightness. straight hair can be “permanently” curled by shaping it around curlers + breaking then reformed the cross-linking bonds