Summary 5.1

Carbon is as important as water is to life. Carbon atoms from with more carbon atoms or with other elements. Most of the carbon-based molecules are classified as organic molecules, while other molecules are classified as inorganic molecules. Many functional groups essential to life are organic. The larger molecules are composed from many smaller molecular units called monomers. Long chains of monomers are called polymers. Finally, when a polymer is built, water is removed and to break a polymer water is added.

Concept Check

1.Draw a molecule that has a three-carbon skeleton and a hyrdoxyl group on the middle carbon.(Hint: The molecule's formula is C3H8O).



2.Explain the connection between monomers and polymers.
Polymers are long chains made up of monomers (imagine a long string(polymer)made up of knots(monomer)).

3.What molecule is released during construction of a polymer?What is this reaction called? During the construction of a polymer, a water molecule is released. This reaction is called dehydration.

4.Draw at least three ways in which five carbon atoms could be joined to make different carbon skeletons.